MARY ELiZAJH. 




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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



The Dying Musician 



MARY ELIZABETH POWELL 




TlARTTet V€RI TCfllT • 



Boston: Richard G. Badger 



1906 



Copyright 1905 by Mary E. Powell 
All rights reserved 



LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
TwoCopiee Received 

FEB 5 J 906 

/c. Nc. 




■ OHJJ^ 



PRINTED AT 

THE GORHAM PRESS 

BOSTON, U.S. A. 



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1 



THE DYING MUSICIAN 



The Dying Musician 



I 

EVENING 



Courage, thou soul of mine ! Not long — not long 

Will linger time! Life's day is nearly done! 
A few more hours, and then — the angel's song! 

The victor's palm! The everlasting sun 
Of righteousness will rise with healing wings! 

In that blest life so soon to be begun 
Earth's woes will be as ne'er remembered things! 
And thou wilt quaff the sparkling streams that run 

From fountains whence love's pure fulfillment 
springs ! 



Though darkness falls, the heavens are wondrous 
clear 
And from my window's height I see afar 
The, pale moon rising in the east, while near 
Her silver horn there sinks one glowing star. 
Ah! now it sets! It dies with light unfurled 
To rise in glory on another world! 
O star of love ! — that in my youth didst rise 

So heavenly bright — but to be overcast ! 
Wilt thou not rise again on fairer skies 

And shine with all the radiance of the past? 



3 

And Friend, my truest Friend, when it shall be 

That all my feeble strength, and breath are 
spent 
Should any standing near weep over me 

Say, that though early called, I was content. 
And though to thee too harsh may seem the fate 

That calls me thus in life's full prime away 
Shed thou no tears, for from death's opening gate 

I glimpse the radiance of a brighter day. 

4 

Yea! even when I sink in weakness low 

My spirit thrills with mystic power divine, 
As if from death a healing fount did flow ; 

What love, what rapt devotion then is mine! 
And oft in waking dreams I seem to list 

To low, soft songs, more sweet than earth's may 
be. 
Then joy flows round me like a golden mist 

Charmed amid waves of heavenly harmony. 



And with those notes, — soft as Eolian strains 

Blown by Aurora on the breath of Morn, — 
A perfect peace descends, freed from all pains 

I seem on wings of blissful sound upborne 
To higher spheres, where palely radiant forms 

Divinely fair float heaven and earth between — 
Love's glow of pure desire my spirit warms 

And then I sink, — as now — to rest serene. 



II 

MORNING 



I thought to pass last night, but with the light 

Nature revives, and as the expiring ray 
Of the spent taper grows in death more bright 

Thus strength returns as life's flame wastes away. 
And thou hast watched all night my friend o'er me — 

God bless thee for a love which never tires ! 
Come near — I've something I would say to thee 

To thee alone, — ere life's last gleam expires. 



One day, — 'twas several weeks — nay, months — 
ago 
Thou didst inquire concerning my past life; 
Thy love for me being great, thou fain wouldst 
know 
The hist'ry of my early toils and strife. 
Since then I've traced the record. — Duly 

'Twas finished. Here's the scroll. Slowly I 

wrought 
In weakness, yet tried, disguising nought 
To tell of life and of a love that truly 

Was my soul's life, — the essence of my thought. 



I could not speak of it — I have not breathed 

To living ears the tale I've traced for thee: — 
Record of months that love with garlands 
wreathed — 
Love that to death alone conducted me. 
What hours were those ! Their memory thrills me 
still 



When the whole world seemed only hers and 
mine 
Such full content, such joy did me then fill 

That peccant earth seemed more than heaven 
divine. 

4 

Open this casket, Friend, it will disclose 

The hoarded treasures of those happy days; 
They are but few, — only a withered rose — 

A curl, as golden bright as noon day rays; 
A little note, discolored by the soil 

Of constant touch and tears from these poor eyes: 
Mementos dear! from which though faded all 

Sweet odors from a perfumed past arise. 



This rose, — 'tis brittle, dry, and dead — dost see? 

And hueless, yet its hist'ry will reveal 
A story of such love and constancy 

As hearts of deepest strength alone may feel. 
My rose of love ! — thou wert a wintry one ! 

Whose bright bloom faded long and long ago 
And perished when grew pale that summer's sun. 

(Ah me, the thorns remained !) Yet well I know 
Its roots contained a germ that in some clime — 

Some fairer world, will to perfection grow 
And bud and bloom, a flower of love divine. 

As far surpassing such that earth doth show 

As heaven itself surpasses all below. 



But read the tale. Then should thy judgment move 
To censure harsh, for having dared to love 
(E'en as great Tasso) one above me far 
And hopeless of attainment as a star — 
My one defense, — even as his — must be 

4 



" Because I loved, what not to love and see 
Was more or less than mortal and than me ! " 



But all is ended nov^^ the grief, the w^rong, — 

And, as 'tis said that drowning men recall 
In one last moment swift their whole life long. 

And live again each scene, — so now doth all 
The past return, — a swiftly changing throng. 

Of scenes, and forms I loved . . . around me 
press — 
And pass away — soft words of thrilling tone — 

Thoughts that the human tongue may not ex- 
press 
Through strange and subtler senses are made known. 

8 

And ah, — again I see her dear eyes shine ! 

That face — which ever in my heart I bear 
Bends smiling tow'rds me — every thought of mint 

Again, as in the past, with her I share. 
Songs — low and sweet — seem falling on my ears — 

Old summer eves! faint, fleeting, fragments, rise, 
Out of that vanished time . . . anon appears 

The fountain, terrace, starlit summer skies, 

Till reeling seems the brain! I ope my eyes 

9 
Upon the dawn, which brighter grows — though 
cold. 
The paling stars die on Aurora's breast 
And though but half of life alone is told 

I am content to go ; — God knoweth best. 
And e'en as rosy tints of morning sweet 

Through all the brightening orient spreads and 
flows 
Within my being's Inmost depths doth beat 
A subtle joy that ever grows and grows — 

5 



10 

Not the sweet calm of an untroubled hour 

Not the Nirvana's timeless, dreamless, ease 
But joy prophetic of a greater power, 

A clearer sight, sublimer love and peace. 
I sink — weakness o'er my frame is stealing — 

My eager spirit bursts its mortal bars — 
And soars where love — eternal — self-revealing 

Sustains in bliss realms countless as the stars ! - 



II 

And now ! new life — my being penetrates — 

My inner sight glimpsing eternity 
Perceives that Power divine which modulates 

Life's broken song, to perfect harmony 
With love whose rhythm fills the vast abyss 

With living love, heaven's sovereign symphony 
That swells and falls in one pure strain of bliss 

Through far celestial regions, ceaselessly. 
Thou last pale star of night ! — that linger'st yet 

In the dim east, by rosy morn impearled. 
Enshroud thy waning splendor, fade and set 

And rise, as I, unto a newer world! 



Ill 



THE STORY OF ONE MAN'S LOVE 



In youth, seen through a mist of rosy dreams - 
Life seems a pleasant vale where every bud 

And every green and nascent floweret teems 
With promises of wondrous coming good 

I saw before me fields of high renown 

6 



** For me," I said, " will bloom the sweets of 
life," 
And doubted not that victory would crown 
The end of every just and noble strife! 



As freely shrills the bird's songs in spring time 

My spirit too, with youthful ardor glowing 
Gushed forth in music and unbidden rhyme, 

E'en as a fountain filled to overflowing. 
And tender longings, — yearnings uncontrolled 

Surged through my heart in sweet tumultuous 
strife ; 
Unfolded then my love — as flowers unfold — 

And flushed to fiery-hearted radiant life. 



Ah me! Between the present and those youthful 
dreams 

Lies an abyss — deep — dark — in which was 
hurled 
Love's burning torch, with whose refulgent beams 

Faded the light that glorified my world ! 
But more of that anon. As in a dream 

My childhood's earliest home I seem to see — . 
The trees, the mead, the gently winding stream 

And each loved scene I knew in infancy. 

4 

And mother ! — father ! Oh how fondly clings 
My memory still to each beloved name! 

Dead long ago — both dead! Oft slumber brings 
Their forms before me as in life they came. 

And though no wealthy, titled race was mine 
How blest beneath their ever tender eye 

7 



Were childhood's hours! They in my memory 
shine 
Like lucent stars against a darkened sky. 



While still a child, death laid these loved ones low: 

In the dear fatherland, beneath the shade 
Of towering lindens, where the daisies blow 

Together side by side their dust is laid. 
A little orphan boy! Think what an height 

Steep, arduous, my feet essayed to climb 
When Music as an angel fair, of light 

Beckoned me upwards to her throne sublime! 



Aye! but think again of all the dear delight 

E'en from the first, this angel brought to me 
For oft, when modulating themes to keys aright 
My Master cried, his eyes with joy alight — 

" E'en in his finger's ends, the boy has harmony! " 
Aye! Even then to me were feelings given, 

Of shivering delight, when some sweet strain 
Softly arose — I felt it was of heaven 
. And filled with rapture smote the chords again! 



And music seemed a sweet-voiced bird that sang 

Of some divine, though unknown, mystic land 
From whose supernal shores there ever rang 

Sweet symphonies, and oratorios grand 
And as I older grew, — clear living airs 

Deep, passion-filled, seemed striving to be heard; 
Uplifting my rapt spirit unawares 

To where glad strains my inner being stirred. 

8 



8 



I seemed to enter mystic regions where 

Are heard those " primal warblings, etheric fine 
Where filled with music is the very air,"* 

And filled my soul with harmonies divine. 
Yet, music doth a charm possess beyond 

Mere melody, and nothing on this earth 
More strange than this, for only as a sound 

It lives, — in silence dies, — yet silence gave it 
birth! 



It seems to come to us from some bright land, 

A land our waking eyes shall never see. 
And strives to tell us, — make us understand 

Some strange sweet secret of eternity. 
And it is not mere sequences of sound, — 

Of chords harmonious, strains of euphony, 
But breathes all thoughts, all feelings that are found 

In the deep bosom of humanity. 



lO 

And all the stars that gem the dome of heaven 

To me were " Quiring spheres " scintillating 
song; 
And misty isles of cloudland when wind driven 

Rang with Eolian flutings all day long; 
Soft winds to flowers breathed in low melodies; 

Bright fountains gushed in music as they fell; 
While sombre pines whispered sad threnodies 

To my rapture in every shady dell. 

* Emerson. 



II 

When mornings brake, grand as the deep abyss 

Of that eternity from whence they came; 
Would dreamlike, mystic strains of rhythmic bliss 

Steal o'er my spirit from those clouds of flame. 
And when night's gloom stole softly o'er the earth 

It seemed a requiem to the dying day 
And fancy deemed a pensive sigh breathed forth 

When darkness shrouded day's last glimmering 
ray. 

12 

Even nature's forms to me were harmonies : — 

A soft and gentle concord seemed the hills 
The first low strains of those great symphonies 

The mighty mountains, which rising grandly 
shrills 
To high-uplifted, wildly-broken song 

Of crag, and peak, and heaven-piercing tower 
And swells, in rocky battlements along, 

God's symphony Indeed of everlasting power. 

IV 



Thus dreaming lyric dreams passed my first youth. 

" With poesy for bread and song for wine " 
As poets sing, alas, 'twas oft the literal truth, 

For grinding poverty through years was mine. 
And back time-vaulting memory takes me to 

The hour auspicious of my first success. 
I wondered If my noble patron knew 

Of my deep gratitude, and my distress 
That only stumbling utterances could show 
The fervent thanks that did my heart o'erflow 

Yet which in words could find no clear egress. 

lO 



Only in music's language could I tell 

The struggles of the past — ambitions high — 
Desires I scarce had hoped to gratify, 

And now the sweet fulfillment! O full well 
My ringing notes did stammering words outvie! 

His was a gifted mind that well perceived 

Each thought expressed in tone, and though 
he spoke 

No uttered word I felt his heart received 
The grateful thoughts I essayed to evoke. 



He smiled approval, linked his arm in mine 

And passing on and out, we came to where 
The spacious lawn beneath the bright sunshine 

Lay like a second Eden smiling fair. 
I gazed around with wondering eyes enchanted 

So rich, so varied was the rare design 
Where Art o'er watching forms by Nature planted 

Had made a scene of loveliness divine. 



"A blending of all beauties." Flower and vine, 

Groves, rocks, and dells where streams did spark- 
ling run 
Bird song, sweet odors, fountains, soft sunshine 

And azure skies that smiled in benison. 
On velvet sward, each brightest flower that blows 

Like jewels rare at intervals were set; 
In shadowy glades the eglantine's pale rose 

Mingled its perfume with the violet. 



TI 



On crystal lakes lolled lilies white as snow ; 

Through stately trees flew birds of brilliant dyes ; 
On terraced slopes in gay pomp to and fro 

Strutted proud peacocks with their " hundred 
eyes." 
Dense shadowy groves drew leafy curtains high 

Disclosing vistas of ambrosial gloom 
Where startled deer glanced up with frighted eye 

And pale cool-rooted flowers essayed to bloom. 



Anon were Naiads, with chaste urns o'erflowing 

Spreading a genial coolness all around 
And with their wavelet's sparkling light bestowing 

The crowning charm to that enchanting ground. 
Beyond the park lay fields begirt with hedges 

And somewhere near there " roared melodiously " 
An unseen brook falling o'er rocky ledges 

In foaming cataracts to the distant sea. 



We strolled the winding pathway leisurely 

Then paused to view, — beside the arching gate — 
The mansion of this man of high degree : — 

A grand Baronial Hall of ancient date; 
Stately and fair the massive structure lay. 

Would I had power, my friend, to paint the sight 
For in the sunshine of a westering day 

Each tower and roof was bathed in golden light. 

12 



8 

And all the four-score casements were as bright 

As if within raged strange confiagrant fire 
That through the clear panes rayed prismatic light 

Bright as the dying sun's funereal pyre. 
And beautiful in wavy curvature 

Arose the circle of low guardian hills 
Their gray-green sward embossed by rocky spur, 

Dotted with trees, and pearled by flowing rills. 



But as I paused, and looked with thoughtful gaze 

A sudden dread filled my too prescient soul ; 
Nameless forebodings, like a cloudy haze 

For one swift moment o'er me darkly stole. 
For me unconscious pilgrim on life's way, 

Well might I pause that day and make no haste. 

It was an Ammon's temple on the Lybian waste 
Wherein for future joy or woe there lay 

Tablets unseen on which my destiny was traced. 

10 

We left the gate, and came unto a bower 

Where sat fair dames, and gallant cavaliers 
I was presented, — bowed — (how that first hour 

Comes back to me through all the vanished years ! ) 
Then looking up I saw a youthful form. 

Harmonious with that lovely graceful scene 
Yet so surpassing all in some high charm 

Methought I stood before some gracious queen. 

II 

A maid it was, but so divinely fair 

She seemed an angel from blest worlds afar; 

And shone amongst the others gathered there 

As shines midst earthly lights some heavenly star. 

13 



Yea ! as a star ! — all fire and softness fine : — 
A slight yet stately form ; — tresses of gold 

Shaded a face where smiles of bright sunshine 
Played over earnest depths with charm untold. 

12 

Yea as a star ! — as music of the spheres 

Was her sweet voice ; — her eyes ! e'en now to me 
No star in all the heaven so bright appears ! 

And oh, her smile! 'Twas starlight on the sea! 
" My daughter." Thus with tender accents spoke 

The noble Lord, — I scarcely dared to look — 
Body and soul I bent. Even then awoke 

That love that thence my being's centre shook. 

13 

Yea then! As at a touch of seraph's wand 
To strange new life all suddenly my soul 
Was roused. Joy, pain, — vague feelings far be- 
yond 
Expression's power through me resistless stole, 
Fond yearnings, longings dimly understood — 
First strange sweet growth of love's fair flower 
divine — 
Passion's delicious quickening of the blood — 
From that bright summer hour henceforth were 
mine. 

14 

In far less heartfelt scenes, how oft had I 

Sank into an awkward silence almost dumb 
From diffidence, — that seemed, — I knew not why 

To paralyze my brightest thoughts, and nurrib 
And dull my brain, at all times heretofore, 

How was it on that day, — I to a height 
Of conversational power did rise and soar 

As if on new-found wings of light? 



15 

'Twas she. And as a wine of vintage rare 

Thrilled to new energy my brain, till thought 
Sprang swiftly up, and I did dare 

To speak with free, unfettered tongue, and nought 
Abashed my words in undreamed eloquence 

Fell like a sparkling shower upon them there. 
How lightly, gayly in that sylvan bower 

The friendly talk around the circle ran! 
Rank's barriers fled as shadows in that hour 

And each man felt himself brought near to man. 

i6 

And when I spoke upon her radiant face 

Sometimes I caught a smile as swift as light; 
And in her eyes bright meanings I could trace 

When I keen wit with logic did unite. 
To me the hours seemed moments. Every word 

From her sw^eet lips came o'er me like the dew 
On thirsty grass. Each soft' emotion stirred 

To joyous life. Yet as the daylight grew 

17 

More airy on the mountain top, — when fell 

The shadows longer on the vale, — a tone 
Of sadness came, — faint as a dying knell 

From some deep recess of my heart unknown 
And whispered softly, that as this fair day 

Was drawing to a close, so likewise must 
The day of man's existence fade away 

His hopes, his joys decline into the dust. 

18 

And all I gazed on, — shaded woodland bowers — 
The cloud-capped mountains, — flowering mead- 
ows gay — 

re 



The stately mansion's massive granite towers 
Yea, even the globe, dissolve and pass away. 

But when at twilight hour, with stars above 
I bade adieu, — her hand clasped close in mine 

All gloom had fled, my heart knew only love 
And its sweet madness made life seem divine! 



V 



I was to teach her music. Thus each day 

Thereafter in the open cheerful room 
To music set apart, I found alway 

My Lady smiling 'mid sweet plants abloom. 
And there at every morn and eve, the while 

She practiced scales and trills, — the art of song, 
What bliss to stand beside her, — see her smile, 

And watch her white hands sweep the keys along ! 



Ere long my patron's family left in quest 

Of health (or pleasure) to some famed resort: 
My pupil stayed behind ('twas her request 

She'd fain excel in music's gentle art.) 
And thus she wandered through the park at will 

And drew me, by the spirit, to her side 
To feed the swans, — to watch the foaming rill 

Leap down the steep to meet the river's tide. 



Searching to find in footsteps of dead spring 
Perchance some violet lingering in the shade; 

Stopping to hear the tuneful thrushes sing; — 
Watching the red deer in the hidden glade, 

i6 



And all about the old Baronial Court 

We walked at will through one blest summer 
time 
And sang — and talked — half earnest — half in 
sport 
Of love and chivalry and deeds sublime. 



Sometimes we glanced on themes whose deep import 

We little kenned, — topics of Church and State; 
Gave judgment on the Field, the Camp, the Court ; 

On books most worthy of our love or hate. 
Not much with Science did we care to climb 

Far dearer to us was the subtle witchery 
Of poesy, from old and classic rhyme 

To sweet, if lesser songs of our own century. 



We read and loved them all! What strains divine 

Did Tasso trill us from Armida's bowers! 
And from Dante what draughts of lyric wine 

Sparkling and clear, crowned with immortal 
flowers. 
What dreams from Coleridge's visionary soul! 

What gems from Shelley's dazzling flow of song ! 
What hymeneal hymns from Keats did roll 

Sweet as the notes his wood nymphs blew along! 



And Tennyson, more loved than all beside — 
We knew each poem well. Enid the bride; 

Maud, Arthur, Guinevere; we knew them all. 
How Elaine loved, and for her true love died; 

And how false Vivian held the sage in thrall; 
The woes that Enoch Arden did betide ; — 

The noble words of him of Locksley Hall. 

17 



And pale proud Byron brought us Harold, Chllde 

Of wandering fancy and immortal song; 
While Scott on bagpipes shrilled his Gatherings 
wild 

Where warriors brave did to their chieftain 
throng. 
And from the skies of Swinburne's wondrous soul 

Gleamed starry songs, flame-hearted, scintlllant 
V/hereIn of heaven, and earth and sea the whole 

Seemed molten in one music jubilant. 

8 

Our young hearts throbbed to every strain they sang 

Whether the thought was one of joy or dole 
Straight from the poet's heart to ours it sprang 

And found lodgment in each virgin soul. 
And thus the Land of Song that lies 

Deep in each heart, watered by these springs 
Budded and bloomed, — e'en as in Paradise 
'Tis said each bough and shrub that flowerless lies 

Bursts into bloom when swept by angel wings. 



Our souls " caught up " by poesy were whirled 

About impassioned heights of thought, and saw 
A vision of the glory of the world. 

Duty divine, and Righteousness, and Law. 
Yet for this galaxy of song, 'twas love 

That made for all the '' sweet particular air 
To shine In." Anon like that above 

The blessed founts and palms of Eden fair; 
And then anon like to the Siroc's breath 

That leaves the life a withered wasted plain ; 
Anon the north wind smiting unto death; 

Anon the gale that brings the fruitful rain. 

.18 



10 

One day we read the legendary lore 

Of gods and heroes of an age gone by 
When man with simple faith that is no more 

Invested nature with divinity. 
And deems as sacred, groves, and forest boughs, 

The fruitful earth, the ocean and the fire. 
To each the simple shepherds paid their vows 

Sweet offering made and tuned melodious lyre. 

II 

" The earth," I said, " outgrows those old romances 

Which Argive poets once divinely sung: 
They were but symbols all, those mythic fancies — 

A spark, from which a holier light hath sprung. 
Mere husks — which none believe, though even 

They once the kernel of deep truth contained 
Whose meaning to the priest alone was given. 

Which not to all its holy truth explained." 

12 

'' No doubt," she said, " your wisdom reasons well. 

But what delight were mine, if, when we rove 
As oft we do, through grove and shady dell 

To hear young Colin-Spenser piping of his love! 
* For I too, shepherds was in Arcadia born ' " 

She gayly quoted, *' where the corn is gold ; 
And watched the lithe-limbed reapers night and 
morn 

Wrestle and dance about the wattled fold. 

13 

" With young Alcyon did I watch the sheep 
And tuned my pipe with his in rivalry, — 

(This was ere he death's cruel spoil did weep 
Or sang his Daphne's piteous elegy.) 

19 



Oft have I heard him with his honied lute 
Piping ' Sweet Eglantine of Meriflure,' 

Even Atlanta, fair and fleet of foot, 

Stood listening 'neath the vines' sweet coverture. 

14 

" And sad GEnone, mourning her false love 

In vales Ionian, have I heard complain; 
Ah, me, how sad her song! The turtle dove 

Mourns not at eve with such melodious pain. 
How dull this scene! To what far-distant streams 

Have vanished all the sparkling Naides? 
Do they enchanted slumber, dreaming dreams 

In some lone isle, beneath strange river trees? 

15 

''Are not these skies as blue, these groves as wild 

As those of Thessaly ? Doth not this field — 
(Green as those meadows where queen Juno smiles) 

A honied wealth sweet as Hymettus' yield? 
But from the umbrage of all forest trees 

The laughing Dryads have forever fled. 
Would that again amid these clustering leaves 

Some ancient god would raise a vine-wreathed 
head! 

16 

" Would I could glimpse a silver-sandaled foot 

Where midst green water-flags some nymph did 
tread 
Swift-vanishing — or see with reeded flute 

Pressed to his lips, old Pan lift up his head. 
And Oh! to see the goddess Cythere 

Wandering with fair Adonis on the plain. 
Amidst the myrtle groves of Arcady! 

But they are dead, never to live again ! " 

20 



17 

She paused, and laughed. The ancient oak be- 
neath 

Which we were sitting, waved its branches fair; 
Midst shadows swiftly flitting, sunlight wreathed 

Inconstant glory on her golden hair. 
How beautiful she looked! Her words of haste 

Her cheeks had flushed, — her merry lips apart ; 
The silken scarf that bound her lissome waist 

Had burst beneath the heavings of her heart. 



i8 

I answered merrily her fancy's mood : 

" They are not dead those gods of Poesy, 
They do but sleep in some enchantment rude. 
And could they hear thy sweet voice in the wood 

They would awake and deem it Thessaly. 
Yon laurel tree again would Daphne wreathe; 

The Dryads in this oak again would dwell; 
Along yon shore Ceres her sighs would breathe; 

And in this grove would sing sweet Philomel. 



19 

Amid the sedges by the meadow rill 

Again would pastoral syrinx blow her horn; 
And for her lost Adonis yonder hill 

Again would hear fair Cytherea mourn. 
They do but deeply sleep, — sometimes one sees 

Them now (I smiled). This yellow daffodil 
Doth it not waken slumbering memories 
When you and I did roam at our sweet will 
In ages past some green Helconian hill ? 
Or on some rocky height did sit at ease 
Watching the play of blue nymph-haunted seas? 

21 



20 

"And I affirm (when thou hast blushed) I've seen 

Sweet-faced Aurora in her beauteous dawning; 
And ' Dew by fairy feet swept from the green ' 

When thou hast crossed the lawn at early morn- 
ing. 
And there are Fairies still e'en as of old 

Who decked with flowers beneath an oaken tree 
(She had twined roses in her locks of gold) 

Surpasses even Titania's majesty. 



21 

" Methinks I have a vivid memory 

Of one wood nymph divine, whose hair the sun 
Did far outshine, when hid, I laughed to see 

How she through meadow paths did swiftly run 
In gleeful joyousness till all the wold — 

Clad in the emerald robes of early spring — 
Seemed with her hair's swift changes flecked with 
gold, 

E'en Jove himself ne'er saw a fairer thing! 



22 

"And brighter than Semele's were the eyes that 
met us, 
Swifter than Atlanta's were the flying feet, 
And her lips! No bees of Hybla or Hymettus 

Ever made a honey half so pure and sweet! 
At such an hour as this, in such a scene 

The nymphs of wood and rock and stream had" 
birth : 
My eyes beheld them not, but well I ween 

When thou wast born, one nymph came back to 
earth." 

22 



23 

Thus oft we talked, and every various thought 

Love set to music every hour I wis 
Yet we were only friends, nor ever sought 

That closer touch, which turns content to bliss. 
And as I lie here fevered all day long 

Weary and weak, my head upon my hand 
My heart breaks for those hours of talk and song 

That once were mine in that beloved land. 

24 

And sometimes when at eve through ether blue 

I watch fair Hesper's silver taper shine 
I musing ask, ''And does she see it too? 

In some far land, my Lady most divine! " 
Then my tears fall. "And Is she happy?" then 

I ask, " Does she think of those old hours 
With me in starlight, and In sunlight, when 

We walked and talked and sung among the 
flowers? " 

25 

How oft In dreams I seem to see her yet ! 

Beneath the trees — amidst the garden bowers ; 
Beside the fountain where so oft we met 

In dear communion through the twilight hours. 
Last eve when westering Day grew bright in death — 

When pale and paler grew his hectic fire 
A sweet strong wind blew glad of life and breath 

Straight from the Sun's extinct funereal pyre. 

26 

It brought refreshment. Then I slept and dreamed 
Of that glad summer In the fatherland 

And of my lady fair who, it meseemed 
Stood not far oH with roses in her hand. 

23 



I cried in rapture: "Ah, beloved, to me 
Return, and bring as in the days of yore 

Life's glory and life's gladness, found in thee 
Alone, and with thee lost f orevermore ! " 

27 

She stood before me, looked into my face 

With unutterably bright and shining eyes; 
No word she spake, but with angelic grace 

Lifted her hand and pointed to the skies. 
'Twas but a dream, but oh, the wild delight 

That thrilled my soul, to see what once to me 
Was of my lonely life the one thing bright. 

Though but a dream it seemed sweet prophecy 
Of another meeting in a land of light. 



VI 



Words fail to fully tell, friend of my heart. 

Her graciousness of mien, her courtesy 
Through all the time we studied that great art 

That doth subdue mere sound to harmony. 
How bright she was in all its subtleties! 

And e'en in chords entangled could discern 
Some thought of nature's wreathing melodies 

That Masters in the art but seldom learn. 



Of thought expressed in tone, how great 

Was her delight! Oft would she question me' 

In words, and I — my heart with pride elate — 
Answered in tones which did consonantly 

The varied feelings of the mind express. 

While she near by, noting with earnest heed 

24 



My every tone with gleeful readiness 

Each thought my music woke to life would read. 



And thus with free speech, earnest, gay or sad, 

With fervent looks to which the stars are pale, 
Laughter — tears — and always with the glad 

Sad voice of Music — life in that sweet vale 
Was as a fair bright dawn impearled with dew 

Whose Morning Star with radiance all untold 
Had ushered in a day wherein a new 

''Apocalypse of nature " was unrolled. 



Ah, was she not in truth a morning star ! 

Did not her presence bring sweet airs from 
heaven ? 
Soft as Eolian harpings heard afar — 

As clear as strains by sun-kissed Memnon given! 
The earth seemed by a radiant difference born anew 

Ask me not how — I can no reason render : 

The stars shot brighter beams; — a deeper 
splendor 
Shone through the heaven's etheric, effluent blue — 
As if to it the sun his being drew — 

More lustrous seemed the deeply shining sea; 
Blooms fairer were — and with a far more tender 

Cadence trilled the wild-wood minstrelsy. 



Days, weeks, and months passed thus I have been 
told, 
I did not know — I only counted time 
By hours with her. (How short they were to hold 
The whole of life!) Alas, that love life's 
Prime — 

25 



In all the luxury of verdure given 
To the full flush of ardent summer-time 
Should be for one above me as the heaven! 



I took no heed of earth nor the profound 

Of ocean's depths beneath, nor heaven's above, 
Nor human fears and hopes, — In her I found 

Earth, heaven, and sea — my universe of love. 
My mind a realm of fantasy became 

Where only passion dwelt: by day and night 
Love's torch burned in my heart — reflected flame 

From her my sun, — my day-of-life's blest light. 



The children of this faithless, selfish world — 

What know they of such deep unchanging love! 
'Tis far above them, as the stars impearled 

In yonder heaven are this dark world above. 
They know no more than some blind worm that 
creeps 

Beneath the earth towards his fellow knows 
How gloriously the light through heaven sweeps 

When first the sun at morn his beams disclose. 

8 

Such love's an Isolation of the soul 

Absorbing, absolute — nothing doth live 
Save one. The Pleiades unceasing roll 

For one, and their " sweet influences " give. 
For one the seasons through the years revolve; 

The star beams shine; the moon sheds radiance 
bright ; 

For one alone the clouds In rain dissolve; 
Rises the sun at morn and sets at night: 
Past ages all the herald of Its might; 
Its heritage — eternal life and light ! 

?6 



Love to the common herd Is but a toy, — 

To be played with — then cast aside at will. 
No likeness bearing to that highest joy 

Than bears to ocean's depths the shallow rill. 
O flame ineffable of radiance bright! 

Unutterable, and never-dying One! 
Their love to mine is as the fire-fly's light 

Is to the scorching blaze of noonday sun. 



lO 

O sweet bewildering charm that every hour 

Two hearts as one In sympathy doth blend! 
What force of reason can withstand Its power? 

Though leading only to a bitter end? 
Aye ! E'en unto death ! such love was mine, and 
nought 

On earth beneath, has e'er had power again 
To move my bosom's fondest, deepest thought 

To heights or depths supreme of joy or pain. 



II 



And deem not true the maxim old that time 

Changes all things — true love doth never 
change : 
" Nor alters when It alteration finds "* 

Through life. In death, nought can such souls 
estrange. 
And now I die, because my longing heart 

Breaks for the one I may not, must not, see. 
O pride accursed! That our two lives did part — 

Lives linked by love's divine aflinity. 

* Shakespeare. 

27 



12 

And she? Yes she had also felt that fine 

Sweet, dominating force so dear to woman ; — 
That power which by an alchemy divine 

Transmutes into a god the weakly human. 
No word we spake — but there are tones and signs 

Unuttered that we understand and see. 
I knew her heart answered each hour to mine; 

And oft her pensive eyes did question me. 

13 

My love! My life! Could she have read aright 

My inmost soul she must have seen and known 
Since first we met, with what great power and 
might 

My love for her had all resistless grown. 
Could she have guessed how hard it was for me 

To see — to know, — yet never dare to speak 
And tell my love, — presumptuous though it be, 

And from her willing lips love's guerdon take! 

14 

Honor forbade. I forced the impulse down 

And tried by reason's power to still the heart 
In strains of thrilling music tried to drown 

Passion's wild fires, and ease the burning smart. 
Ah, duty harsh and hard that thus gainsays 

The heart's sweet impulse! Bitter the decree 
To banish love and see the hastening days 

Of life's one springtime wasted as they flee! 

15 

Oft would we meet at morn, or vesper chime, 

Beneath the trees, by fount, or winding stream 
Of those sweet hours I wrote full many a rhyme 

28 



As lovers will when tranced by love's strange 
dream. 
Did not Dante of his immortal love 

Sing ever fondly in the olden time? 
And Tasso with laments sweet thoughts in-wove. 

Read and forgive my friend, this lesser rhyme. 



EVENING AND MEETING 

These verses breathed themselves to life one eve 
After a day in which looks most divine 

And languorous sighs had made me well believe 
Her true heart beat responsively to mine. 



O Lady leave thy stately halls 

And sit alone this eve with me 
Where the fading light of the sunset falls 

On the fountain flowing free — 
The murmuring fountain that forever calls — 

As my heart, - — for thee ! for thee ! 



The nenuphars loll on the lake 
And open pure, gold-hearted stars, 

While lucent waves to their soft bosom take 
The planets and fiery Mars 

Burns them with kisses till blushing they break 
In rose-tinted bright-sparkling bars. 

3 

The bright crimson rose on the wall 
Grows wan in the fast-fading light 

And soon o'er the meadows, and fields like a pall 
Will descend the shadows of night. 

29 



But ah, not a shadow on my glad heart shall fall 
For my Lady will meet me tonight! 



What a glad sweet west Wind blows 

O'er the slowly purpling lea! 
It bringeth the odor of jasmine and rose 

And the song of the sounding sea: 
O happy west Wind ! Well he knows ! — well he 
knows ! — 

My Lady is coming to me! 



Haste moments! For my heart's full flood 

Flows surging to her evermore, 
And a tumult, and longing are thrilling my blood 

As the passionate sea seeks its shore 
And my heart beats with rapture, as it throbbed 
when she stood 

By my side in the music-room door 
When her sighs spoke " love " plainly as language 
could 

And her eyes mutely questioned " No more? " 

6 

All day have those languorous sighs 

Through my heart's glad garden blown — 

(As a breeze of the evening slow-lingering flies 
Through passion flowers — loves very own) 

And those glances — more lambent than stars in 
the skies 
Through the hours in my heart have shone! 

7 

And the dread of parting shall not lie 
Tonight on my heart like a stone 

3° 



And thoughts of the future like phantoms shall fly 

And Joy shall himself enthrone, 
For this eve where flowers to the soft winds sigh 

We two will wander alone! 

8 

Though the future will bring I know 

Great ills in its sorrowful train : — 
A woe that will blanch my lips and my brow — 

Heart-hunger, and longing pain — 
Lone mornings, and evenings that will bring I trow 

Yearnings to see her again — 
Wishings, and thirstings, to see her — as now 

But then — Oh, God, — all in vain ! 



But I will be happy tonight 

Till all the sweet hours be over; 
I will list to her songs and words with delight 

As if I were happiest lover, — 
And if I should weep the shadows of night 

The dolorous brine will cover. 

10 

O Supreme Love! Thou art something higher 
Than youthful visions, rose-hued, and bright, 

Stronger art thou than all desire 
And fairer than all delight — 

More deep than thought ! — spark of living fire 
From the Eternal Fount of Light! 

II 

Through the everlasting years 

Beyond the shores of time 
Far, — far above the starry spheres — 

Higher than thought may climb — 

31 



Or vision pierce of hoar and holy seers — 
Reigns Love the lord sublime. 

12 

But my Lady, she cometh soon! 

nightingales sing on for love! 
To lighten her pathway arise O moon! 

Her pathway to me through the grove! 
Sing, O nightingales! Sing! Your most jubilant 
tune 
Shine 5^our brightest! O stars above! 

13 

And tonight — tonight, at her feet 

Will I lay the glad gift of song! 
Strains sweet as the notes the bulbuls repeat 

To their loves the summer night long — 
Would that with my Lady's perfections replete 

1 could make immortal the song! 

14 

Would I could tell her how dark and strong 

Is the night she drives away! 
And with love's most thrilling, and eloquent tongue 

Tell her how dark is the day 
When I see her not, — how I sigh and long 

As the chill months long for May! 

15 

What gleamed where the breezes blew 
Through the boughs the balsamic air ? 

Was it the moonlight clear reflected in dew? 
Or the sheen of her golden hair? 

And was that her hand down the dark avenue 
That flashed so white and fair? 

32 



i6 

She Cometh ! O grace unknown ! — 

O sun's compeer in thy dear light 
Dread of the future — of parting, has flown, 

Darkness has vanished, and there is no night — 
Never a shadow, where thy clear eyes have thrown 

Sweet glances of love shining bright! 



VII 

And many times, ere to his daily task 

The sun in splendor joyously sprang forth; 
Or ere the dark, unfathomed, star-gemmed mask 

Of darkness fell from the reposing earth, 
Would I arise and hasten where pale flowers 

Edging a shaded stream, perfumed the air 
Here would I sit and write through early hours: 

And sometime would my Lady meet me there, 
And wander with me through green wildwood 
bowers 

Odorous with tender smells from budding vines 
Till lessons called us hence. Of these bright hours 

I wrote (forgive their weakness friend) these 
lines : 



MORNING AND MEETING 



O morn, lift high thy gates! The glorious sun- 
god waits: 
Fling wide your flashing, flaming doors, ye 
golden towers of Light! 
To let the lord of Day in dazzling bright array 
Come in, dispersing by his power the gloomy 
hosts of Night. 

33 



Mountains bedewed with rills, and heaven-kissing 
hills 
Beheld, far off, through vaporous shades, his radi- 
ant banners thrown 
And donned their crowns of light, — their jeweled 
vestments bright 
And amethystine veils of mist, by Auroral breezes 
blown. 

3 

In valleys low and green, gray ghostlike rock be- 
tween 
Violets of royal sheen lift up, dark, dew-wet faces 
sweet, 
And through the lightening gloom breathe forth 
divine perfume — 
An offering of incense rare for his approaching 
feet. 

4 

Adown the rocky height the fountain flashing bright 
To meet and greet the glorious one, sparkles with 
joy and springs 
While on the resonant air in cadence sweet and 
clear 
Is heard the lark's exultant song as at heaven's 
gate she sings. 

5 

From groves and woodlands lone, as cheer of sweet 
flutes blown 
Now ring the birds' first mating songs to greet 
his presence bright 
While trees their branches fair lift in the dewy air 
And wave glad salutation to the lord of life and 
light. 

34 



6 

But where is my heart's sun? my life's light — 
peerless one? 
In her chamber is she slumbering soft and pure 
and warm? 
Oh, would that dreams might stir, love deep as mine 
in her 
And weave by mystic spirit power a never ending 
charm. 

7 

And as the sun-god bright disperses shades of night 
All my dark despairing thoughts her presence 
drives away 
Then rise thou Sun most fair haste through the dewy 
air 
'Tis at morn's early hours that earth her fairest 
charms display. 

8 

Through deepest woodland shades, through flower- 
scented glades; 
And 'neath the lighter umbrage of the open, sun- 
lit grove, 
We'll wander while the sun doth his first measures 
run 
And softly as on angel wings will glide the hours 
of love. 

9 

Come! for the emerald leaves are whispering in the 
breeze 
And rustling softly as if kissed by sunbeams from 
above ; 
While a tumult, joyous, light in earth and water 
bright 
Proclaim that spring is holding her festival of 
love! 

35 



10 

Oh, all day long my soul trembles in love's control 
And all night long with thoughts of thee my 
fevered dreams are sweet 
Dreams in which I see thy tender eyes — thy hair's 
gold splendor 
And offer thee my heart's devotion, kneeling at 
thy feet. 

II 

Oh haste my Lady sweet ! — For thy delaying feet 
I listen, listen, near the stream beneath the spread- 
ing trees 
Here sadly, faintly sighing, my hopes despairing, 
dying 
I send my burning thoughts to thee on morning's 
swiftest breeze : — 

12 

" Oh, tell her. Wind, I dream by the low murmur- 
ing stream 
And to all pleasant sights and sounds I close my 
weary ears 
In my sad mind there lives no thought that pleasure 
gives 
For every sweet and precious hope is shadowed 
by dark fears. 

13 

Tell her where sunlight plays, on spicy woodbine 
sprays 
And every bough and branch upon the wild-wood 
almond trees 
Droops, heavy with pink blooms, each filled with 
rich perfumes 
And nectarous honey, golden-hued, to tempt the 
drowsy bees, — 

36 



14 

'Tis there alone, alone — her other self, her own 
Languishes with longings deep till his love doth 
come 
And with her presence bring bird's songs and flow- 
ers, and spring! 
Absent from her the vernal earth is cold and 
dark and dumb. 



15 

Tell her what grief is mine! she leaves me here to 
pine — 

Time passes yet she comes not — Will she come ? 
Despairing let me die forgetting agony! ' 

Alas! I see her not though far my sad eyes roam. 

16 

O thou snow-white blossom ! — white as her pure 
bosom ! — 
By the rude storm tossed, and bruised, and wildly 
heaved ! 
Wind torn — as I with fears, rain-wet — as I with 
tears, — 
Emblem art thou of my heart, O my hopes de- 
ceived ! 

17 

But soft! What image bright breaks on my rap- 
tured sight? 
My Lady comes — she comes ! and with her all 
things fair; 
Yet fairer she than flowers, that deck the rarest 
bowers 
And sweeter than all odors fine distilled in dewy 
air! 

37 



i8 

Oh brighter are her eyes, than stars In midnight 
skies ! 
And never white blooms dew-impearled, the fair- 
est of all lands 
Can rival the pure w^hiteness — the airy graceful 
lightness 
Nor equal in their fragrance the sweetness of her 
hands. 



19 

Afar seen faintly — then plainly, by glade and glen 
She comes, my life, my soul, true to my heart, 
her home! 
Hasten! Oh, pause not now! — parched are my 
lips and brow. 
(Oh would that she could come to never, never 
roam ! ) 

20 

The softly waving grass bends low to see her pass 
O'er hills of emerald verdure, where soft winds 
whisper " Stay 
With us and we will sing strains soft, enrapturing 
Blown sweetly on Eolian harps, O thou fairer 
than the day 1 " 

21 

And birds — a joyous choir, lift their glad voices 
higher 
And chirp " O hear us! hear us! our songs are all 
of love," 
While streams and fountains sigh " haste not so 
quickly by 
We would thy image mirror, thou dearest earth 
above." 

38 



22 

And all the pale, pure flowers, that bud in wood- 
land bowers 
Have waited through the dawning hours, open- 
ing each silk-soft bloom — 
Exhaling odors sweet, for her approaching feet 
'Til birds and happy insects dance in waves of 
rich perfume. 



23 

Cease! birds, and streams, and breeze, and thy 
whispering O leaves! 
And listen in waiting silence as her lingering 
steps draw near 
To where I sit alone, on a rock with moss o'er- 
grown 
(All swiftly as the mists have flown each gloomy 
doubt and fear.) 

24 

But hasten ! hasten near ! my ears are sick to hear 

The music of that softest, gentlest, voice of thine 
O heart, — O throbbing bosom ! My love is com- 
ing — coming ! 
Mine! Mine! (Would God she were!) For- 
ever, ever mine! 



25 

Mine ! — but hark ! she's near — almost enough to 

hear 

Her voice, — to see her smile — to hear her say 

Something to me most dear — (all her words are 

cheer!) 

Run! O my soul to meet her! my lady is on her 



way! 



39 



20 

O'er green, lush meadow lands, with roses In her 
hands 
She Cometh to the morning tryst treading with 
nameless grace — 
With tremulous eye and heaving breast, — tokens 
of love's divine unrest 
She comes! She's here! All heaven is in the 
place ! 

27 

Hours of weary waiting over, with happy heart, thy 
happy lover! 
By thy divinest side feels supremest bliss: 
Feels the utter gladness, born of former sadness: 
All music's subtlest charms, were they not pre- 
sages of this? 

28 

Where shall we wander, sweet? On shores where 
wild waves greet 
The bald, bare rocks and break in angry foam? 
Or where the spreading plain waves all with yellow 
grain ? 
Or shall we through dark shadowy woodlands 
roam? 

29 

Or shall we slowly stray where silver streamlets 
play? 
Reflecting heaven's own lustre in their waters 
clear ? 
Whither? No matter whither! Are we not love 
together? 
All places are as Paradise if thou be with me 
there ! 

40 



30 

Aye! ever when thou're near, I rise to heaven's 
sphere 
For in thy eyes reflected shine back the starrj' 
skies ; 
And gazing in those true pure orbs of heavenly hue 
I see the shining portals of my heart's Paradise. 

31 

Ah, sw^eet is music's pov^er, when thou at such an 
hour 
Doth gayly, gladly sing clear strains that har- 
monize 
With the skylark's song of love, falling, from skies 
above 
I dream I hear an angel blest, singing in Paradise. 

32 

And in the peerless power, of beauty's magic dower 

I see at morn beneath clear cloudless skies 
She whom, — my love's emotion transformed to 
saint's devotion — 
I worship as Love whose power alone makes earth 
a Paradise. 



TO ONE WHO WILL NEVER SEE IT 
MY LADY CAROLINE 

This morn I watched the golden orb of day 
Rise from the bosom of a rippling bay, 
Whose waves blushed rosy red to greet the sight 
Of him for whom they'd waited all the night. 
His burning face behind a purple cloud 
Shone like a blood-red disc in misty shroud. 
But as the mists, wind blown, far seaward rolled 

41 



Oh then how grandly did his powers unfold 
Till all the ocean danced in living gold. 

Soon did his shining beams the heavens fill 

O'er all the earth with power they did prevail — 

As lightning swift, they leaped from hill to hill 
A golden flood, they spread from vale to vale. 

Sadly I walked, — neither the dancing sea 
Bedecked with sun-bright, glimmering jewelry, 
Earth dew-impearled, nor opal broidered sky 
Could make the shadows from my sad soul fly. 
Yet had I walked on desert sands all bare 
Of waving trees and nature's beauteous bloom; 

Or on a rocky, sea-girt, island where. 
Was only heard the breakers' sullen boom; 
Or on an arctic snow-plain cold and bleak, 
Where winter reigned, — as far as eye could seek — 
Yet if with me, my heart's heart, thou wert there 
The rocky island — snow-plain, — all were fair ! 
The desert sands would blossom as the rose; 
The breakers boom — as murmuring stream that 

flows ; 
All scenes, all sounds, would fair and pleasant be, 
For thou my love art all the world, and all humanity 

to me. 



For were I wanfdering in bare desert lands 
Thy presence were as springs in burning sands 
And were I on an icy plain thy mouth 
Would with thy kisses bring the balmy south; 
No rocks were rough if I my head could rest 
On the dear comfort of thy fragrant breast; 
No sounds were harsh, could I that hour hear 
The music of thy voice so sweet and clear. 
With thee, all sounds and sight would pleasant be 
For thou my love art all the world and all humanity 
to me. 



42 



VIII 

And oft at midnight hour a restless feeling 

Drove me to wander through wild ways forlorn: 

Or, — pen in hand — my inmost thoughts reveal- 
ing ^ ^ 

Would write until the dawning of the morn. 



AT MIDNIGHT 



What stirs me so? What means this restless ieeh 
ing? 

This wish to roam? 
Why am I thus at midnight softly stealing 
Towards her darkened home? 



Through me — all thrilling — how I cannot say 

Yearnings are flowing 
That urges — presses me both night and day 

Ever to be going, — 



To the palace, where all sweetly sleeping 
She lies tonight, I know. 

My veins! What burning fire is keeping! 
My heart, what quenchless glow! 



At my feet dew-laden, fair flowers cluster. 

Would that I were there! 
The moon and stars then would lose their lustre 

For she is more fair. 

43 



Though the earth is bathed in floods of moonlight; 

And stars as diamonds sparkling; 
Though open fields and plains are, as the noon, 
bright 

And groves with shadows darkling, — 



Though through hours, sweet flowers are incense 
breathing 

On the balmy air 
And leaves and vines are magic garlands wreathing 

Around me ever5rwhere, — 



Yet vain are all the charms that nature's wearing 

Summer's bright gladness 
Amid each fairest scene, my heart is wearing 

A weight of sadness. 



8 

To still my heart's unrest, — ever essaying 

Hopeless griefs to fly 
I thus through midnight groves am sadly straying 

Through lonely woodlands hie. 



At midnight! Is my love in beauty sleeping 
Through these hours so bright? 

Or is she as her lover, lonely keeping 

Watch through the hours of night? 

44 



10 



If she sleeps, with joy's fullest measure 
May her dreams be blest! 

Whilst my bliss her image pure to treasure 
Deep within my breast. 



II 



Is she kneeling, praying for her lover 
Whilst her heart o'erflows? 

Oh, beloved! May angels round thee hover 
And all of heaven disclose! 



12 



And oh, may all the prayers that melt or move thee 

Full fruition crown! 
Ascending to the heaven of bliss above thee 

Fall In blessing down! 



13 



Dost thou dream ? O dream of me sweet angel ! 

My heart's blest star! 
Light of my lonely life ! — love's fair evangel ! 

So near and yet so far! 



14 

All weary am I with my soul contending - 

O tyrannous desires! 
Come holy Peace from heaven descending 

Assuage my heart's fierce fires! 

45 



You understand but feebly, friend, from these weak 
rhymes 
How love's sweet music filled and thrilled my 
heart 
Through balmy days of which some lingering 
chimes 
Since then have been of all my dreams a part. 
I know at best I have but ill-defined 

The sweet and bitter tumults of my soul 
Where love's delight to sorrow still inclined 
As, changing ever, waves of ocean roll. 



But still what joy was ours — what sweet content! 

We were as notes in perfect unison 
Where heart with heart in sympathy was blent 

E'en as two chords harmonious, blend in one; 
Enwrapped as in a veil of rhythmic dreams 

Woven by song entrancing hours were given 
Wafted on music's bright rejoicing streams 

We -breathed the air and touched the shore of 
heaven. 



And as I lie here all day long, and dream 

Musing upon those hours forever past 
I scarcely know what one my heart would deem 

In happiness all others had surpassed, 
Yet there is one, transfixed indelibly 

Upon my mind, because in after years 
There was a sequel, dear — that curl to me 
Was given and that note which thou didst see 

With usage soiled, and stained with sorrow's 
tears. 

46 



4 

That summer morn ! — O ne'er shall I forget ! 

Entwined with jasmine was the ancient tower, 
And when I catch its sweet scent, — even yet 

I seem to live again that happy hour. 
It was a perfumed, sunlit, perfect day, 

When all the verdant hills and vales did vie 
In loveliness that faded, faint away 

Into the arms of the all-embracing sky. 



I stood beside her, while her fingers ran 

Lightly across the ivory keys — they seemed 
Like rose-leaves blown by wind — then she began 

A simple song — a gentle strain, love-dreamed. 
What moved her then? She paused. Her eyes 
divine 

Filled with bright tears, as with a tremulous sigh 
She lifted them beseechingly to mine 

And murmured softly — " Tell me. Master, why 



My music all so cold and frigid seems ? — 

So lifeless — so unlike the thrilling notes 
Thy touch evokes, — so sweet at time one deems 

An angel's voice around then softly floats. 
Though mine may perfect be technically 

It something lacks that bafliles all my skill, — 
Some subtle power, — passion — intensity 

All tones I try — yet it eludes me still. 

7 

If thou but press the keys thy hands beneath 
With noonday fervor doth the music glow 

The fragrance of fresh flowers around then breathe 
And strains from harps Eolian seem to blow, 

47 



And every changing cadence thrills my heart 
Expression giving to some mood of mine, 

Moods of vi^hich joy and sadness are a part — 
And each w^ith powder that seems almost divine. 

8 

Earth seems to fade away, — and as the beams 

Of davv^n tints all v^ith its own beauteous sheen 
Life's stream, from music's charms, more brightly 
gleams. 

Each day is fairer, each hour more serene. 
Oh much I fear that I may never gain 

Such power as thine, — it dwells from me as far 
And seems and high and hopeless to attain 

As if it were some distant shining star. 



How blest that hour! of all my life most fair 

When thy sweet music first entranced my soul 
As some seraphic being of the air 

With tuneful voice it round me softly stole, 
Uplifting fancy till it soared to spheres 

Quivering with strange new life, — a life of joy 
Where brighter, fairer, lovelier, all appears 

Yielding a pleasure keen, without alloy. 



10 

If but a simple air is by thee played 

The music flows a gushing, living stream. 
When I to play the same notes have essayed 

How cold and lifeless did the numbers seem. 
'Tis ever thus — and vainly do I try 

To give the life thy sweet impassioned strain 
So purely breathes. Thy secret tell, that I 

Unto such marvelous power as thine attain, 

48 



n 

What answer could I make ? All the drear past 

Came back to me — A childhood of dark gloom. 
I shivered then, for as I backward cast 

My mind, I seemed to see again the room 
Cheerless and cold to which an ill-clad boy 

Came in the early dawn of wintry day 
To practice music. So pinched was he the joy 

His love of music brought could not allay 

12 

The pangs of hunger, nor the sting of cold. 

And so forlorn, my heart thrilled pityingly 
Even then for this poor child, so young, yet old 

In all the woes of orphaned penury. 
And once again my memory brought to me 

The after years when I had older grown 
Still followed by relentless poverty. 

Oft stung by cruelties the world had shown. 

13 

Now looking down upon this dainty child 

Favored alike by fortune and by birth 
Who questioned me with eyes so sweet and mild — 

I wildly stamm.ered " Never on this earth 
Comes power until our hearts feel and know 

Dark hour of grief in which our hopes expire. 
From the full heart the fervent strains must flow 

If they to touch another's would aspire. 

14 

When feeling prompt thy strains and passion fired 
They from thy own heart's deepest fountains 
flow 
All breathless to these sounds, deep, soul-inspired 

49 



Their hearts will catch the flame and kindling, 
glow, 
'Experience! Never since life began 

Had music-moving power untaught of thee!' 
But this thou understandest not, nor can 

Till Life shall teach thee. Hear thou me : — 



15 

Would thou my secret know? The bitter school 

Of poverty was mine, — exacting, stern. 
Beneath whose harsh and soul-embittering rule 

I pray my Lady, you may never learn ! 
This school so hard was yet a faithful friend 

That ever urged me on to new endeavor : — 
The coming years to you may sorrows send, 

But what I've borne, may you be spared for- 
ever ! " 

16 

I ended in such passion, that her tears 

Brimmed over. Then I told her all my life 
Commencing with my first remembered years 

And all the after time of hope and strife. 
Ah, then upon her face what grief divine, — 

What sympathetic sorrow gently stole! 
Her hand she laid impulsively on mine 

While tears proclaimed her tenderness of soul. 

17 

Memory most blest ! I reverently recall 

Those tears of sympathy that day so freely given. 

Such single-hearted grief! When such tears fall 
Their radiance surely reaches unto highest heaven ! 

Yet smiling through her tears with such sweet grace 
Her tears from smiles seemed such a charm to 
borrow 

50 



They added lustre to her lovely face — 

And were adorning pearls, — not veil of sorrow. 



i8 

'' Then I must wait for time to bring such 
powers? " — 
After a thoughtful pause, she gently said. 
" For Life and Grief go hand-clasped through the 
hours ; 
ril surely let you know if e'er their dread 
Dark presence doth me with this gift endow. 

But now, please play some inspiration given 
Since last we met." With throbbing heart and 
brow 
I played as with a power direct from heaven. 



19 

The burning thoughts that filled me in that hour 

The love that I so sternly had concealed 
Thrilled through my strains with a newly-awak- 
ened power 

That each emotion of my heart revealed. 
I paused and looked into those eyes of blue 

That drooped beneath my ardent gaze (Ah then 
I trembled!) " This I wrote and thought of you," 

I whispered as I touched the keys again. 



SONG 



My love is a garden of spices fair 

Where myrrh, and balm, and spikenard, grow 
But none may breathe these odors rare 

Save winds of heaven that changing blow. 

51 



For a garden inclosed, a fountain sealed: 
Sweets undisclosed, streams unrevealed 
Is this sweet love of mine. 



Down on it gaze the stars above. 

(O happy stars!) The skies I'd be 
That with ten thousand eyes of love 

I might each heavenly beauty see — 
Or e'en a bee that sips its blooms; 
Or wind that breathes its sweet perfumes. 
Alas! it may not be. 



But when I sleep, my heart awakes 
And flees to where its garlands twine 

And my untrammelled soul partakes 
Of bliss that only then is mine. 

What passion-flowers then round me rise 

Flame-hearted, whose deep chalices 
Diffuse perfumes divine! 



I hear the sound of falling streams; 

Soft voices murmur in the grove; 
A mist melodious fills my dreams. 

And all my spirit draws to Love : - 
Her lips like lilies drop perfumes 
Her lustrous eyes the night illum'ns 
And me to transports move; 



* " My love is a garden inclosed, a fountain sealed." 
Solomon. 



wherever sweetest spices fall, 

Where myrrhy trees drop gums, where flowers 
Throw showers of incense over all 

She leads me to her blissful bowers: 
My spirit pants to joys divine. 
O would such dreams might e'er be mine 
Nor wake to lonely hours! 



My love is a fountain crystal clear 
Whose sparkling waters are divine 

Though all my soul faints for its cheer 
It never, never, may be mine 

For a garden inclosed, — a fountain sealed 

Sweets undisclosed, — streams unrevealed 
Is this fair love of mine. 



O blessed fount of all delight! 

My heart is famished for the streams 
That, like a glittering mirage bright 

Haunt evermore my fevered dreams. 
O longing heart of mine, give o'er! 

For Flower and Fountain cease to pine. 
Thy fate to fast 'mid bounteous store, 

And thirst where foams the wine! 

8 

The sun adown the western sky 
Sinks into dreamy, deathlike rest; 

The wandering airs of summer die 
Upon the ocean's heaving breast. 

Oh, were I as the air, the sun 

This breaking heart would die upon 

Thy heart my love, and rest. 

53 



20 

Was I too bold? trembling I looked at her 

Upon her hand, her dainty head reclined 
Her cheeks with deepest blushes tinted were 

While on her hair, disheveled by the wind 
The sunbeams through the window leaped and 
spread 

Their golden rays, and like an angel blest 
They with a glittering aureole crowned her head 

And kissed to warmth the roses on her breast. 



21 

They glimmered on her laces sheer and fine 

While on her draperies, falling fold on fold 
They wrought in gleaming gold a rare design 

Like some all-wise artificer of old. 
Standing beside the window in sweet grace 

With tears of love's own passion glittering where 
Sweet smiles and blushes mingled on her face 

She made a picture most divinely fair. 

22 

My soul grew weak, for O how hard for me 

To feel love-languid, questioning, tearful eyes 
Resting on mine — yet never dare to see — 

To hold In leash the passion that would rise. 
She turned aside and smote the light guitar 

Soft as Eollan harps by zephyrs rung 
Arose the strains while by the lattice bar 

I stood and improvising gayly sung! — 



A minstrel at a lattice 

Stood and of his love sang he : — 
" O have you seen my Queen of Hearts? 

54 



Fairest of fair is she! 
Crowned by the golden sunbeams 

She like a goddess stands 
And music flows in strains divine 

From her diviner hands. 



She is of all earth's jewels 

The dearest and the best 
And ever will her image be 

Upon this heart impressed 
An image fair and debonair 

Pure as an angel blest 
With sunbeams on her brighter hair 

And roses on her breast. 



Her brow is like to ivory 

That gleameth in the sun 
But never ivory was so fair 

So sweet to look upon — 
So sweet to look upon 

And O her glancing eye — 
'Tis brighter far than love's own star 

That gems the morning sky! 



Her voice is like the zephyr 

That soft at evening sighs 
And when she sings methinks I hear 

Angels in Paradise. 
No sweeter sang Cecilia 

When she drew the angel throng 
Down from celestial, blissful heights 

To listen to her song. 

55 



And, though to songs of heaven 

Hers seems a glad refrain 
Yet the dewy rosebloom of her lips 

Is sweeter than the strain! 
And could I by some magic 

Transform self and transpose 
O in the song I'd hide to kiss 

The mouth through which it flows! 



Or I would be a fragrant rose 

Within her garden bowers 
For when by dew-drops bright impearled 

Perfuming young-eyed Hours 
Perchance my Lady passing 

Would see, — and O how blest 
Were I if she would pluck and take 

Me to her snowy breast! 

7 

Ah me ! How poor are phrases 

Such love as mine to tell 
Yet had I words I dare not speak 

So high my love doth dwell. 
O bitter love and hopeless 

That pales the lip and cheek! 
Such love fills all this burdened heart 

That breaks but will not speak. 

8 

Yet even to the woes of love 

All other joys are vain 
If it bring death, 'tis sweet to die 

Of love's exquisite pain. 
And when in death I'm lying 

56 



Should Pride around me stand 
Say that my love was as nobly given 
As the highest in the land. 



Alas, alas, life's roses 

Will ne'er on earth be mine! 
And ever must this burdened heart 

In hopeless longing pine! 
Yet, Lady, vi^ould that rose so w^hite 

Upon thy breast, w^ere mine — 
'Twere worth a hundred kisses pressed 

On lips less sweet than thine! " 



22 



She blushed, but spoke not ; pale as if from pain 

She with a gentle stately grace arose 
And passed from thence, but yet without disdain, 

For ere she went, she kissed and gave the rose. 
That is the rose I shewed thee friend of mine 

I've treasured it through weary months and years. 
'Tis weak you say in hopeless grief to pine. 

Yet oft I've wept upon it bitter tears. 



23 



It tells me, friend, though from her parted long 

We once together *' sank the stars to sleep " 
And doth recall how then in mutual song 

Our souls seemed one, and so remembering weep, 
Forgive me friend that oft I've absent seemed, 

'Twas then her spirit seemed to linger near 
And many nights how oft of her I've dreamed 

And fed my mind that died for want of her! 

57 



IX 



The palace looked o'er broad fields to the ocean : 

From the square casements of Its antique towers 
One plainly saw the waves, when In commotion 

Foam like a field of wind-blown, snow-white 
flowers. 
Beyond green hills the towering mountains rose 

Whose rugged frames disguised by mighty trees 
Did many a gorge and shadowy vale disclose 

Where sparkling waters wooed the cooling breeze. 



Here oft we'd wander to some upland high 

When sunset rays — bright as an angel's wing — 
Did soar and sail far up the shining sky 

As If to heaven Itself they would upsprlng. 
Then would we climb th^ upward, rock-strewn way 

Where in wild loveliness sweet flowers did bloom, 
With many a pause the landscape to survey 

Till daylight died In evening's purple gloom — 



Till daylight died, and the waning moon hung low — 

A horn of silver in the darkening skies — 
Then homeward took our way, idly and slow 

Watching the glowing stars with dreamful eyes. 
Sweet Summer-Night ! How like an Af rlc queen 

Adorned with gems! Diamonds so rarely bright 
Ne'er decked the crown of Eastern king I ween 

Nor on the brow of beauty shed such light 

58 



4 

As thy refulgent stars ! — Still shining young 

And clear as when they shone on ancient Troy — 
Or e'en that morn when earth from chaos sprung — 

When all the sons of God did shout for joy, 
And all the morning stars together sung! — 
But not of this we thought, — our eyes aglow 

With thoughts our trembling lips left all untold 
We silent sat, or with voice soft and low 

I sang to her some romant strange and old. — 



Or, listening to the deeply sounding sea 

Whose endless roar by distance softened, swept 
A music o'er our hearts, all tremblingly 

They to life's deepest, subtlest meaning leapt. 
At such an hour, my soul on joyous wing 

Above my life's perplexities so real 
And all material things would high upspring 

Unto a realm pure, perfect and ideal. 



Where to live and love, immortally were one ; 

Where justice reigned, and all mankind were 
free ; 
Where Rank's pride-gilded barriers were unknown: 

Where Science hand-clasped with sweet Poesy; 
And the " almighty Power of Good " o'er sea 
And earth and air held sublime victory. 

7 

Within the centre of one verdant lawn 

There gushed a sparkling fountain crystal clear 

When day declined by kindred feelings drawn 
We sometimes met and sat together there. 

And there one eve while listening to its song 

59 



Mingling with nightingale's, up in the trees — 
Watching the white doves soar and wheel and 
throng 
I sang, until my Lady came, words like these : — 



SONG 



Why lingers my loved one? — The daylight Is 
over. 
Hush ! nightingales, — hush ! Your songs loud 
and clear 
That, longing and listening, I first may discover 
The light sound that tells me her footsteps draw 
near. 
Trim thy lamp, O thou planet of Love high above 
her 
And lighten the pathway of thy more than com- 
peer! 



O white doves that hover, where the fountain brims 
over. 
To seek your dark coverts, 'tis time now, — 'tis 
time! 
For truly my Lady keeps tryst with her lover 

At this hour when sweetly the vesper bells chime. 
Oh bells I ring as never before, — and discover 
To her all the grandeur of love in its prime. 



The night-dews are falling on meadows and clover; 

The stars are appearing in darkening skies. 
On my deep spirit, where the dark shadows hover 

Thou star of my soul, arise, — O arise ! 

60 



And let song and love, — heaven's lights, impend 
over 
Around and about us rapturous-wise! 



O Moon in the east, so wan and dim-shining! 

I have seen you at full in your bright silver car, 
'Tis well that tonight your rays are declining 
For my Lady would outshine you as the sun doth 
the star. 
And thou fair Hesperus, — that so brightly doth 
sparkle — 
A clear shining jewel on the evening skies, — 
Soon, soon, as if clouded thy brightness will darkle 
Eclipsed by the brightness that gleams from her 
eyes! 



Hasten! heart's dearest! The daylight is over; 

All sadly the hours of waiting have passed: 
Long hours dividing my love from her lover. 

Hasten! Oh hasten! For the time will fly fast. 
The last light has faded — the west wind, the rover 

Flies where the forest his shadows have cast. 
She Cometh ! All joys around seem to hover 

And cares fly away like a leaf in the blast. 
And my soul to my love forever and ever 

Like a flood at its full, surges wildly and fast. 
And when she came — how sweet the long twi- 
light, — 

The gloaming dim, whose light's soft shadowy 
ray 
Did as a strange and silvery clasp unite 

Night's darkness with the lingering light of day! 
Sometimes we talked — gazing on starbeam bright, 

Sometimes we sang, — touching the light guitar. 
Soft was her voice as sphere music raying light 

6i 
3 



From silvery portals of the evening star. 
One eve when sunset fires tinged all the blue 

And rose-red vapors through the heavens up- 
sprang 
While seaward, curlews, like black meteors, flew 

My Lady smote the strings, and softly sang: 

SONG 



" Love, for one day only came, and made life one 
glad song. 

Oh, he was honey-sweet and fair to see! 
As If on angel's wings those hours sped swift along. 

Ah, happy day, could you not stay with me ? 



But sad-browed Night came down, and covered aH 
the light 
All the glad light of Love's fair sun, ah me ! 
The death-black Night came down, nor Moon, nor 
Starbeam bright 
And naught is left but darkness unto me. 



Alas ! Alas ! If distant lands, or wide, wide seas 
Had parted us and did my love detain 

I had not hopeless been, for some kind breeze 
Would waft him back to love me true again! 

4 

But he Is dead, — and, In the grave, O God! and 
gone! 
Oh still I dream — e'en though the dream be 
yaln — 

62 



Of a sweet vale of all delights, where I anon 
Shall live and love, and light be mine again! 



Thrilled with emotions that precluded speech 

We sat awhile in silence, then I said 
** Goethe the depths of woe essayed to reach 

His * Sorrows of Werther ' thou hast doubtless 
read?" 
She shook her head, then murmured gently " Try 

Master, in song, this sad love to portray." 
She lightly smote the strings, while slowly I 

Arose, and improvising did essay 
This hopeless love to sing, yet also strove 

In subtle measures to express my love. 



WERTHER TO CHARLOTTE 



Afar on the horizon's rim 
Gleam palely fair, and faintly dim 

Blue skies which stoop to kiss the rippling sea; 
Desire of such a union sweet 
As where the skies and waters meet 

Stirs all my soul in longings deep for thee. 



If I but faintly hear thy name 

Through my being like a flame 
Rushes the vermeil flood, and all my heart 

Bursts into living bloom 

Filling with heaven's perfume 
The garden of my soul whose rose thou art! 

63 



Or if to me thou comest near, 
And thy sweet voice in song I hear 

Melts all my soul in saddest, tenderest yearning, 
My tearful eyes in fond delight 
Gaze on thy features, smiling bright 

And in thy face seem heaven itself discerning. 



And yesterday — forgive ! forgive ! 

Ah, then I should have ceased to live ! — 
For the first time I felt love's rapture in my soul ! 

Still, still, burns on these lips of mine — 

The sacred fire received from thine — 
What oceans of delight did 'whelming roll!* 



In the blest Paradise thus brought 

Nothing was left, — no wish, — no thought 
All bliss in those short moments was enshrined 

In thy embraces glorified 

My yearning tears were straightway dried 
But ah, the harsh farewell was hid behind! 



All things of earth will pass away 
All mortal hopes will know decay 

But eternity cannot destroy the flame 
Which was enkindled by thy kiss 
And which now fills my soul with bliss 

Such love immortal is, from heaven it came. 



* Werther's exact words transposed from Goethe's 
" Sorrows of Werther." 

64 



Think not I dream or idly rave 

For drawing nearer to the grave 
My spirit rapt transcending sense and time 

Sees calm in changeless bliss above 

Our souls united still in love; 
Eternity our bridal day sublime." 

How sweet those hours my friend! For, evermore 

Music with angel wings around did move 
And then we felt, to being's inmost core 

The " twofold joy of music and of love." 
When by her side no fears disturbed my breast, 

So all-complete was love's sweet sovereignty; 
But when alone sad prescience without rest 

Forever sighed " Soon must thou parted be! " 



One day I wandered by a river, whose bright waves 
went murmuring ever 
On their way slow-winding to the far-off, vast 
and unknown sea — 
Like the stream of life e'er flowing, to eternity not 
knowing 
Whence it cometh, — ^whither going — yet, which 
e'er obediently — 
To a law divine, supernal, all unchanging and 
eternal 

Floweth onward ceaselessly. 



Nature, that day, had gone Maying, winds were 
fluttering flowers and playing; 
Maybells with white foam were spraying grassy 
slopes and meadows green; 

6s 



While from many a leafy dwelling such a choir of 
notes rose welling 
Through the mazy shadows, — telling to each 
listener, though all unseen 
What blest hearts the wildwood covers, — what 
spring-quickened happy lovers 
Whose sweet song e'er hangs and hovers, in each 
ear that hears I ween 

As in the leafy glade terrene. 



On I sauntered, scarcely knowing, where my truant 
steps were going 
Whether in the wood's recesses, — or with the 
river to the sea : — 
Heeding not sweet breezes blowing, nor white haw- 
thorn blossoms snowing 
Distant landscapes, nor the growing leaves upon 
the oaken tree; 
Where a wood thrush, wildly singing — on an airy 
bough light swinging — 

Poured her soul In ecstasy. 



For I walked as in a vision in bright sunlit fields 
Elysian 
Where my fancy's vain prevision wove Illusions 
all the way 
Woodland groves seemed bowers Arcadian where 
with me a radiant maiden 
Walked as happy as In Aiden blest Immortals 
joyous stra}^, — 
Or as those thy fanes enwreathing on some ancient 
festal day 

O Venus Amathusia! 
66 



Surely 'twas a realm enchanted for in dell and 
glade bird-haunted, 
All the trembling leaves in all the budding, 
blooming, beauteous way 
And the winds were whispering ever — one sweet 
word they both together 
Whispered to the sighing river, and the birds too, 
sang it blithe and gay 
And this word was " Love, love " ever, only that I 
heard them say 

By the river that sweet day. 



And I knew by blue waves gleaming that the river 
too was dreaming 
Felt its soul to mine responding in a strange, 
mysterious way — 
Then I cried " Oh, tell me river, is not love of 
life the giver — 
Doth it not throughout creation, highest sweetest 
joys convey? 
Softly as light winds that shiver, answered low the 
dreamful river 
Love is Eden recreated, where eternal spring 
holds sway 

E'en as in earth's primal day." 



Slyly smiled the swaying daisies in the tangled 
meadow mazes 
And the birds, each to his sweet mate nodding 
sagely seemed to say 

" Of heaven and earth love is the flower, the es- 
sence blest — the subtle power 

67 



Of joy, — e'en in this woodland bower, and is of 
good the root and branch alway." 
Well they knew without my telling, all the love- 
born fancies swelling 
From the heart's deep fountains welling, as their 
joyous songs so gay 

Wells in the flowery month of May. 

8 

But amidst those vernal bowers, clinging vines and 
fluttering flowers 
As a dove that moans and cowers, came the 
Wind's voice, sad, unmusical 
And all weirdly sung " Remember, autumn comes, 
and chill December 
Then as fades the dying ember, all the flowers 
will fade and fall." 

" The flowers," I sighed, " must 
perish all." 



And beneath the love-born gladness was an under- 
tone of sadness 
That ever whispered " Oh, what madness ! and, 
sadly prescient sighed alway 
And ever murmured " Never! Never!" Then me- 
thought I heard the river 
Saying softly *' You must sever," as it swept 
through meadows gay 

With brightly tinted flowers of 
May. 

lO 

And as came to Dante hieing, through the shades of 
hell the sighing 
Sounds of bitter woe undying so those voices 
came to me 

68 



And my heart with knowledge stricken, all too sure 
for hope to quicken 
In my breast did faint and sicken, knowing well 
what life did hold for me — 
Knowing well cursed pride of station, wealth, and 
titled, high cognation 
Would with bitter indignation, tear my love, my 
life, from me 

My own by love's affinity. 

II 

At these thoughts my soul appalling, showers of 
tears 'gan swiftly falling 
And while birds were sweetly callirig to their 
mates from spray to spray 
Down upon the ground in sorrow, fell I, knowing 
some tomorrow 
We must part (O words of horror!) part and 

fare alone alway. 
Oh, on that day, prone I fell and wept my soul 
away. 

'Twas in the flowery month of 
May. 



X 



Thus all that summer passed, and autumn came. 
And with it came the family to the Hall. 

Unmindful of their eyes we met the same, — 

Our guileless souls thought not of fear or blame. 
Soon came the end, — the last scene I recall. 

That morning she was silent, cold and sad: 

I questioned her, — trembling, she said that we 

Must meet no more, — her father had forbade. 

69 



Her voice choked, — through tears she looked at me. 

Oh, what a look! her soul was In her eyes! — 
All I forgot, wealth, pride, and ancestry 

I only saw that look and heard those sighs. 
I flung myself before her pleadingly, 

Caught her sweet hand, which to my lips I pressed, 
And then in wild and broken words revealed 

The all-consuming love, that in my breast 
I had so long with stern resolve concealed. 



It was the bursting of the long-pent flood 

Of deep, deep love, — she could not choose but 
hear 
The passionate words. Sobbing with grief she 
stood 
While down her cheek coursed warm a pearly 
tear. 
"Weep not! Oh, sob not thus!" I cried, "Thy 
grief, 
Will madden me. Oh, grieve not, dearest one! 
Oh, do not take it ill, — but past belief 

Is the great love that hath my peace undone! " 



"Forgive! forgive! But by these burning tears, 

By all my hours haunted of thee alone, — 
Oh, by thyself, I swear, not through the years 

Of any age hath greater love been known 
Purer or holier than that which now 

Burns in my soul for thee, my love, — my own - 
Once I will call thee so ! — Oh scorn not thou 

And blight the heart that beats for thee alone! 

70 



Is there no voice within thy heart that pleads 

For me? No answering instinct, sweet divine 
That draws thy heart to mine, and intercedes 

As mine is drawn by sympathy to thine? 
O Lady wilt thou never know the heart 

That breaks in hopeless love for thee, for thee? 
And canst thou say, that thou must soon depart 

With thy stern sire, to lands beyond the sea? 



Must part ! It cannot be ! Why Lady thou — 

Thou art my life, — my natural element 
Wherein I breathe. My food ! Oh, tell me how 

How can I live from thee in banishment? 
I ask not for thy love, — I do not dare, 

My heart, — yea all my spirit's deep intensity 
Was freely given, — without one thought or care, 

And for thy sake in silence, worshiped thee. 



Oh say but once thou hatest me not for this. 

Speak! Alas! thou weepest. Weep not for me 
My gentle love ; O, what unthought of bliss 

To weep for me ! Thy father — can it be ? — 
Has threatened thee? Then come, this faithful 
heart 
Will shelter thee. Through life, in death, al- 
way! — 
What joy to toil for thee! Oh not to part, — 
We cannot ! But speak, — and say some sweet 
day 

71 



8 

Thou too mayst love, — and in another clime 

Some happier land, — leagues, leagues, beyond 
this sea 
Thou wilt be mine. O, then the sands of Time 

Will golden be! Then I will live for thee, — 
There will I kneel to thee and worship thee 

And call thee my beloved, my own, my wife! 
O, wilt thou, wilt thou, fly afar with me 

Where love united may find fullest life ? 



To some fair land of sunshine, fruits and flowers 

And crystal lakes arched o'er by shadowy trees 
Where verdurous mountains rise, around whose 
towers 

Untrammeled flow the freshening wind that 
breathes 
Odors from sweet spice islands nestling low 

Upon the ocean's softly heaving breast — 
'Tis there, — 'tis there ! beloved we will go 

And sheltered in my heart thou wilt be blest! 



lO 

And there when evening's softest zephyr sips 

Sweet fragrance from a thousand blooms unseen 
The sweeter odor from thy rosered lips 

I then would breathe. And I would swooning 
lean 
Body and soul, and mind, with joy oppressed 

Upon the comfort of thy truest, dearest breast. 
Firm is my love as the enduring heaven 

The fixed and constant stars shall ever be 
So true as is this heart, thus freely given! 

Oh I am all thine own ! — believe thou me. 

72 



II 



Nor pain nor sorrow, neither fleeting breath 

Nor the dark icy grave shall chill my love; 
It will survive beyond the bounds of death 

And stronger grow, in brighter worlds above! 
For we will rise together ; and together roam 

The starry radiant dwellings of the blest. 
And still together, in the heart's sweet home 

Love's blest Elysium, find eternal rest. 



12 



Weep not for me, my queen. — O naught am I 

Not worth a single tear! I will depart 
Or may I kiss away one tear that dims that eye? 

Well ! — well, — I will not pain thy gentle 
heart ! 
But Lady weep not! Dearest heart, forgive! 

I will be wise (O passionate heart be still!) 
I know I should not speak, but oh I live 

Only for thee, — and ever, ever will 
My love endure! Oh, give me leave to rise 

Up from thy feet and look into thine eyes! 



13 

My words were wild, for I was mad with love. 

She trembled, weeping wildly, stooping low 
To where I knelt she clasped my hand and strove 

To lift me, — murmuring as she did so, " Oh 
What matters it beloved ? Wealth or fame ? 

I do abhor those ideal empty things. 
Do we not love? Is there a higher claim 

Than that which from the heart's deep fountain 



spnngs? 



73 



H 

What matters it, my dearest and my best, — 

That we should live unnoticed and unknown ? 
So we together live we will be blest. 

With thee I'll go! I cannot be alone! 
I will not leave thee ! Such a paradise 

Is perfect love, earth's pomps will be forgot! 
And I will live for thee; and in thine eyes 

Find my heart's heaven, — all else will be as 
naught ! " 



15 

I clasped her, crying fondly, " Love! O Love! 

And wouldst thou from thy lofty state stoop 
down 
With me to humbly live thy love to prove? 

Oh, now in truth thou dost my being crown! 
But no! Oh, no! my gracious queen! my words 

Were wild, — Forgive ! Oh, one more, — one 
more kiss 
Beloved on lips and brow, — heaven affords 

To its blest saints, no deeper joy than this, — 



16 

Ah, — once again, — again, before we part — 

Clasp me, and make me thine, as mine thou art ! " 
A footstep startled us. She whispered " Go, — 

We'll meet again ! " I quickly turned and passed 
From thence. Ah me! How could I know 

It was of all our happy hours the last? 
But so it was. That scene was but the seal 

Upon the tomb of hours forever fled, 
By which, like some soul lost to heaven's weal, 

Sad Memory sits, and weeps the lost and dead. 

74 



XI 



Next morning's Post a letter brought to me 

Informing me — in words suave and bland 
" My services no more would needed be — 

They were to travel in a foreign land ! " 
Stunned by the sudden blow, for days my heart 

Seemed smouldering in a slow consuming fire: 
No reasoning could of joy one gleam impart 

All thought, all life was merged in the desire 



To see her face. Through hours of listless pain 

And hopelessness I brooded day by day. 
Naught I desired but that, — and to live again 

The old life would have given my soul away. 
Go where I would my eyes were sick to see 

The old familiar scenes, — the park, the shore 
The fount, the wood, — but more, oh more to me 

The lovelit eyes that I saw never more. 



I traveled then. Yet like Dante of olden time 

" Looking back ever and ever, with eyes of 
blinded pain," 
My ears all sick to hear whate'er the scene or clime 

The music of a voice I ne'er should hear again. 
Like to the wounded hare, the stricken hind 

To nature's deepest wilds I took my way 
Hoping upon her breast my heart might find 

Some healing balm that would its pain allay. 

75 



" O mother Earth ! " I cried, " upon thy breast 

Thy sad, thy weary, heart-sick children holding 
And in thy silent arms so kind and blest 

Creation vast in sympathy infolding — 
Who with thy varied gifts so richly bless 

From birth till death, e'en all of living kind 
Oh may my stricken heart in its distress 

Upon thy bosom, peace and healing find ! " 



Filled with a wild unrest that urged me on 

I wandered aimlessly through many lands 
Through pathless wilds and forests dense, anon 

Bleak icy plains — and burning desert sands. 
One evening found me climbing the ascent 

Steep, water-worn, of a high mountain range 
As up I toiled, swift streams and foliage lent 

Beauty to scenes of grandeur wildly strange. 



O'er mountain steep and high the rough pass wound 

'Mid fragments huge, and shaggy chasms deep 
Into whose depth with rushing, roaring sound 

White-foaming cataracts did wildly leap. 
O'er rocks, impetuous torrents, hurled headlong 

Seeking in haste the green and flowery vale; 
While stony caverns echoing did prolong 

The hollow murmurs of the rising gale. 



I mounted bravely up the rude ascent 

Though perilous the path, and wearisome 

For to me came " The victories of ascent 
And joy of life in steepness overcome." 

76 . 



Arrived aloft I found the sunset sheen 
Softlj^ envelling all In golden light — 

Around, beneath was spread so fair a scene 
I gazed about some moments with delight. 

8 

An upland fair spread out of vast expanse 

Where valleys green branched in deep winding 
ways ; 
Bright gleams of water did the eye entrance 

Flashing and flaming 'neath Sol's westering rays. 
Beneath my feet the mountain ranges spread, 

Enwrapped in forest verdure, — fold on fold ; 
The more majestic summits o'er my head 

Alone looked down from heights serene and cold. 



But to the west ! — O how they towered on high ! — 

Mountains against mountains seemingly were 
hurled, 
Their savage peaks like spears did pierce the sky, 

The jagged crown it was of that majestic world. 
And every spire and peak that towered there 

Bathed in the sunset's golden, glowing light 
Against the sky's soft amethystine air 

Appeared like gold, tinted and shining bright. 

lO 

And all was still ! Around no sound did float 

Save where in secret depths the hid cascades 
Gave rippling music, — or the strident note 

Of night bird rising from the forest shades; 
Then as a shadow vast, slowly the night 

Descended. Brightly on heaven's etheric plain 
I saw with heart-enkindled eyes of light 

The crescent moon and all her starry train. 

77 



II 

How beautiful! With joy akin to pain 
I gazed upon the stars that seemed to scan 

With eyes of trembling pity, the benighted vain 
Self-torturing lot of feeble mortal man. 

*Poor pensioner of the hour' (I mused) whose 
breath 
Is like the mists the morning suns consume 
' Swifter than arrow's flight ' this life — then 

death — 
From gloom to earthly life, from thence to gloom. 



12 

Whither ? Who knoweth ? Mute are the heavenly 
spheres 

The rocks beneath eternal silence keep; 
In language that hath no interpreters — 

Mysteriously — "Deep calleth unto deep." 
The world stays not, and none may stem the tide 

Of time that to eternity doth flow; 
Great nations rise and into darkness glide, 

Suns rise and set, and seasons come and go — 



13 

And ever, and all — not only this great sphere — 

But all the varied lives that on it thrive — 
Enwrapping it in a living atmosphere 

Where growth, decline, life, death, forever 
strive — 

Doth unto law unalterable conform 
Inexorable — and the united arm 

Of all the living races could not turn 
From its fixed course one star of all that swarm 

The vault above and in bright glory burn. 

78 



H 



No thrilling song of joy, no shriek of pain 

Sent up from Life's great heart through all the 
years 
Can of the deathlike silence ear attain 

As she sits throned among the shining spheres. 
Face to face with those stupendous mountains 

Standing in deep abstraction, silent, still 
Such hopeless views troubled my thought's clear 
fountains 

And dark dejection did my being fill. 



15 

Why were we born to suffer? " I asked the ques- 
tion 
That all humanity asks, — and asks in vain ! 
Since first it being had the whole creation 
With groanings deep, travails in mortal pain. 
Alas!" I sighed, "I cannot comprehend; 

Reason ! God-given, — I will of thee inquire ? " 
' He that created shall not He defend? 
The finite may not to the infinite aspire! 



16 



Every truthful light of science burning; 

Every lofty heaven-granted power. 
Every wise brain, hidden truths discerning. 

Do they not clearly teach us hour by hour 
That within the world around, beneath us 

As within the heaven high above 
There is one continual living presence 

Of almighty help, and peace, and love? 

79 



17 

And conscience, — that clear flame forever bright ! 

God's image, — his oracle in the breast — 
Proving its truth by its intrinsic light : — 

Bear vi^itness of that light, O soul! and rest! " 
Great visions then assailed my tranced mind 

I felt the pulse of that immortal life 
Which pours its flood through all of living kind ; 
And those high heavenly harmonies divined 

To v^hich creation moves beyond all strife. 

i8 

Ne'er had I Nature known until that hour 

That she was One, my mother, and divine ; 
Not dead the earth but filled with living power 

Whose spirit held communion deep with mine. 
And all around the glory of a day 

Fairer than mankind hath ever known 
Through lightening shadows of an orient gray 

With promise of sure coming, softly shone. 

Though nature (upward striving) sore travails 

And from dark ills to be delivered groans 
Until God's breath of love (which e'er prevails) 

Shall from his everlasting throne of thrones 
Proceed and kindle upon the Phoenix fire 

Out of which the " New heaven and New earth " 
As gold seven times refined shall aspire 

And man shall live a life of highest worth. 



20 

The spell was broken by the sound 

Of carriage wheels that up the stony pass 

Did slowly climb, to where in thought profound 
I dimly stood beneath a towering mass 

89 



Of rock. It was a gay barouch-and-four 

Familiar was the livery on the forms 
Of servants and outriders — on the door 

Engilded was my patron's coat-of-arms ! 

21 

Few moments driving brought them near. O 
heaven ! 

Through the dim light I saw my Lady's face! 
Yes, she herself ! — to none else had been given 

On earth beneath such loveliness and grace! 
With slight, unknowing bow they onward sped, 

Perchance to joy, — to love — to all delight, 
And I ? Cold, cold, and ghastly round my head 

And in my heart gathered the shades of night ! 

22 

Ah, only those whose heart, as mine, have known 

The sickening weariness of vain desire, 
Heart-hunger unappeased, to famine grown; 

And hopes that ever hopelessly expire 
Can understand the anguish past control 

When having seen the one so ardently 
And long desired, thus near me — O my soul, 

I could have touched her ! — to find she knew not 
me! 

23 

Like one distraught I stood until the sound 

Of the receding wheels died on my ear 
Then as if smitten, prone upon the ground 

I fell and grovelled in my deep despair. 
Until my manhood rose up angrily 

Crying " Vain is love that feeds on shadows! 
Vain 
A life self-centered! Arise, look out and see 

Broad fields white to the harvest that have lain 

8i 



24 

Unreaped! Why stand ye idle all the day? 

Arise ! go forth ! for soon the void dark night 
Of death, doth hasten on its way! 

To work! to work! While yet thou hast life's 

light." 

Like Jacob, wrestled I, till break of day 

For strength and peace. Sternly determined then 

Down from the mountain heights I took my way 
And sought once more the busy haunts of men. 



25 

Amid the throng, — where men like eagles whet 

Their beaks, to rend the weak for greed of gain 
I madly plunged, and struggled to forget 

The past, but ah, alas! 'twas all in vain! 
For 'twas her voice that whispered in each breeze 

And as sunlight where water darkliest gleams 
Her eyes, her smiles, — bright as the starlit seas 

Haunted my days and mingled in my dreams. 



26 

Yet ever I worked, and fame, and wealth were 
mine ; 
How worthless to me weak and stricken sore 
By fell disease! At last there came a time 

(I had but late returned from foreign clime. 
And learned that she was at the Hall once more) 
When love, so long repressed, could bear no 
more. 
" I must, — I will — I wildly cried one day 
Go to her home, and sing one last sad song 
Ere death be mine, as when swift ebbs away 
His life, the swan's notes shrilleth strong! 

82 



27 

"At night when all the winds are breathing low 

My every thought from all save her apart 
Beneath her window will I softly go. 

That song perchance may ease my aching heart." 
Fair was that night, and brightly all illum'ed 

By moon and stars, shining in heaven above 
Sweet flowers, dew-ladened, all the air perfumed — 

Too sweet a time, for sighs of hopeless love! 
I heard afar, with deep and mournful sound 

The breakers roar as if in grief profound. 



XII 



I stood beneath her window, murmuring low 

" She softly, gently sleeps, my love! my sweet! 
And in her peaceful slumbers cannot know 

Where love tonight has led my weary feet; 
Thus her untrammeled soul can answer free 

The messages that mine to hers would bring 
And through blest power of music's ministry 

In sweet communion will our souls upspring." 



I touched my lute, the soft strains seemed to rise 
As did my burning thoughts and upward sprung 

As if they fain would reach the glittering skies 
And mingle with the quiring spheres. I sung : — 



83 



Night slowly, sadly falls 

Through ether, darkly blue. 
Of twilight skies, like pitying eyes 

Stars tremble into view: 
Day dies and tears of Earth bereft 

Distill in heavy dew. 
Oh, weep with her for love is gone 
And night without a star comes on! 
(Hark! how the wild waves sadly moan!) 
Caroline, Caroline. 



Lights glimmer on the land, 
And ship-lights twinkling glow; 

Bright stars above look down in love 
On land and sea below: 

But thou — thou lookest not on me 
Standing in lonely woe 

Beneath thy window casement, sweet. 

Where love hath led my wandering feet. 

(Hark! How the waves in sorrow greet!) 
Caroline, Caroline. 



Lo! The calm moon comes forth! 

By breezes softly blown 
Comes sweet perfume, from plants abloom 

To me as I stand alone; 
And the moon's pale light, on the turret's height 

Like a silver veil is thrown: 
But the shadows beneath are as dark as death. 
And the flowers may have the upas breath. 
(Hark! How the waves moan as in death!) 
Caroline, Caroline. 
84 



The sea beats wearily 

Upon the yellow sand, 
And murmuring low the sad waves flow 

Towards some far-off strand — 
Or sobbing in despair they throw 

Themselves against the land, 
Then rushing swiftly back again 
They whisper hoarsely, as in pain : 
(Hark! How they sob as they complain!) 
Caroline, Caroline. 



Why do the restless waves 

Forevermore complain? 
What is the song that all day long 

They sing — a wild refrain ? — 
The sad, sad song, that breathes of wrong 

And sobs like a heart in pain. 
'Tis a song of grief, — of mad desires 
Of hope that in despair expires 
(Hark, how their song in grief suspires!) 
Caroline, Caroline. 



O 'twas a mad, mad thing 

To love a queen so high ! — 
A queen whose light makes heaven bright 

And all the stars outvie, 
That pale with fear as they come near 

Her throne in heaven high. 
Ocean beheld her clear beams falling 
In days of Eld his heart enthralling. 
(Hark! now his voice is loudly calling.) 
Caroline, Caroline. 

85 



He lifts himself tow'rds heaven 

Where she sits with her starry train 

And suppliant stands with foam-flecked hands 
Then falls in despairing pain 

And breaks on the shore in wild uproar 
His spray tears fall like rain. 

But the moon heeds not, for her love is given 

To the orb she pursues through the shining heaven. 

(Hark! how the waves flee passion-driven) 
Caroline, Caroline. 



8 

O moon! O queen of mine! 

My heart's the raging sea 
Within my breast that hath no rest 

That reaches up to thee 
With longings deep that never sleep 

Forever sighs for thee — 
Clings to thy memory till death 
Shall stop this feeble, fluttering breath! 
(Hark thou to what its passion saith!) 
Caroline, Caroline. 



Mine eyes fail for thy light 

And oh, for evermore! 
Like to the waves that shore sand laves 

That break in wild uproar 
Are all my thoughts that ever flow 

To thee their golden shore — 
Ever to thee their shore and there 
Break into murmuring despair 
(Hark how their sad plaint fills the air!) 
Caroline, Caroline. 

S6 



lO 



My face is white and cold 

As the dead in the graves below; 

My heart — as with a poisoned dart 
Is wasted with my woe; 

In every place I see thy face 
Like a phantom come and go. 

And when at night the wild winds blow 

Alone I wander to and fro. 

(Hark! how the waves all wildly flow!) 
Caroline, Caroline. 



II 

I cry aloud, but none, 

None hear my bitter cries; 
Like to the flood, the tears of blood 

Up from my heart arise 
Alone with sorrow, and the night 

Am I beneath the skies. 
And when I fain would rest in sleep 
What lonely visions round me creep! 
(Hark! how the waves moan loud and deep!) 
Caroline, Caroline. 



12 

loved! O lost! wert thou 
Dead, lying in thy grave 

1 would gladly go where thou liest low 
A rest by thy side to crave 

And the darksome tomb a holy room 

Would be as a temple's nave. 
But thou, love, art resting in happy sleep 
And softly dream — while I weep — while I weep. 
(Hark! how the waves their sad songs keep!) 
Caroline, Caroline. 

87 



13 

Vet what hast thou to do 

With looking from thy height 

On one who sings woes minlsterlngs 
Through lonely hours of night? 

Thy lofty place the courts of kings 
Where pride and pomp unite. 

Yet I know that steadfast heart of thine 

Still bears the mark Impressed by mine. 

(Hark! how the waves In murmurs pine!) 
Caroline, Caroline. 

14 

For love our souls are One 

Beyond e'en death's control 
Linked by this bond, In worlds beyond 

One with thy love my soul 
Will be for aye as mine with thine 

While endless ages roll. 
O cursed pride and rank that stood 
Between two hearts of kindred mood! 
Thy hire will be the price of blood. 
(Hark! how the waves roar at their flood!) 
Caroline, Caroline. 

15 

Soon my poor life will end 

For when the nights are long 
And I wander far, sometimes I hear 
God's voice so soft, yet strong — 
" Sounds heard as light,* then all the night 

Is filled with voiceless song. 
And a whisper breathes '' Enough, come in, 
Through death the perfect life to win." 
(Hark to the wave's soft ceaseless din!) 
Caroline, Caroline. 

* Swinburne. 

8S 



i6 

And when at last I lie 

In my still, narrow home 
Cold, cold and dead, — alone with the dead 

Each in his quiet tomb — 
If at times thy ear should faintly hear, — 

When stars doth night illume 
The sound of a song, or a lute blown along 

Soft as when winds resume 
On some spring day the marriage lay 

Of bride-white flowers abloom 
Mine is the voice thou hearest sing 
And mine is the hand that sweeps the string. 
(Hark to the waves' sad murmuring!) 
Caroline, Caroline. 



17 

And if in the turf that forms 

My grave's green covering 
Above my bosom, a pale, pale blossom 

Some day thou seest upspring — 
Lay there thy lips, — 'tis my soul that awaits 

Thy love's sweet offering: 
And though centuries dead my brow would feel 
Through the earth thy soft warm kisses steal. 
(Hark! how the sea to the moon doth appeal!) 
Caroline, Caroline. 

18 

Yet rest thee, rest thee, love! 

The moon is shining bright; 
Its beams through leaves, blown by the breeze 

Falls in soft dancing light. 
God guard and keep thee, heart of mine, 

Through all the hours of night, 
And happy, holy dreams be thine 

89 



Breathed in thy soul by love divine! 

My love, my heart, good night! 



Was I awake or dreaming? I did not know. 
I seem to feel e'en now the wondering thrill 

As when I saw her window move, — and lo ! 
As some fair spirit, pale and white and still 
There stood my Lady, and albeit I 
Heard not an uttered word, yet well I knew 

*' Farewell " was on her lip and in her eye, 
Her silent, unexpected, last adieu. 



She stood a moment thus, then silently 

Drew down the blind, and as she did so there 
Fell at my feet that note which thou didst see 

Wrapped round that treasured curl of golden 
hair. 
As one that stands at solemn hour at eve 

Beside the grave of some beloved dead 
And hears a voice, — 'twas thus I did receive 

That note and curl. Trembling with joy I 
read : — 



" When from thee in sad haste I moved 

That morning, all In tears, 
I did not, — could not think, beloved, 

We should not meet for years — 
Nor for long years should hear again 
Thy music's sweet soul-thrilling strain! 

90 



I scarcely knew until the hour 
They said that we must part 

The secret of the subtle power 
That drew to thine my heart: 

Nor knew till then 'twas love that there 

Had made that summertime so fair. 



Alas that pride of place and blood 

Forbade us more to meet! 
How dear those looks half understood 

By danger made more sweet ; — 
Thine eyes with such a plaintive shine ' 
Fixed with such a pleading look on mine! 



As lightning from clear skies, the blow 
That parted thee from me: 

Nor cared what land they bore me to 
I knew it held not thee. 

Bleeding where pride had torn apart 

The links that bound me to thy heart. 



weary struggles! Lonely years — 
In which to still the pain 

1 strove. (Vain task! E'en now my tears 
Fall like the summer rain!) 

How slowly passed each day, each night 
In lonely longings infinite! 



They say I err, — yet it seems to me 
Higher than rank above 

91 



Are days of uncrowned majesty 

That touch the lofty goal where love 
And duty wreathes in loveliness 
E'en poverty's stern barrenness. 



And though Rank scorn ft is my pride 

Thy love was given to me 
And faithful still whate'er betide 

Through life will think of thee. 
While years have passed since to the Hall 
We came again how plainly all 
Its scenes thy presence doth recall! 



8 

The music room where oft we sang 

Speaks to my heart of thee; 
The mountain steep which up we sprang ; - 

The fountain flowing free, — 
Groves where the flowers in myrtle hidden 
Breathed odors sweet as those of Eden. 



9 

The rocks we clambered o'er at eve 

To see the waves beyond ; 
Woods where great trees boughs interweave 

Where summer airs despond; 
Where nature wove her sweetest spell 
In every grove and shady dell. 



lO 

And all those long, long, golden hours 
We sat together there! 

92 



Where breezes soft perfumed by flowers 

Seemed some diviner air! 
Alas! Each breeze doth now recall 
Those hours, those sighs memorial. 

II 

But Oh, how each and every scene 

Still dear to me remain ! 
I cannot bear one thought to wean 

E'en though the thought brings pain. 
And oft I wander o'er the lea 
But ah, not now, as then, with thee! 

12 

The birds within the park's deep wood 

Still sing as on I pass. 
But now my footsteps as my mood 

Fall silent on the grass; 
And though around are beauteous forms 
Alone, they have for me no charms. 

13 

What shall I say my soul's sole friend 
Of thy ne'er forgotten song? 

Its memory cheered me, and did lend 
Joy to days sad and long: 

How sweet that hour! The wish is vain, 

But oh, to live it o'er again! 

14 

Yes, now deep feeling thrills my strains 
Fresh from my bleeding heart, 

For Grief and Pain dread powers twain 
Are of my life a part. 

Those masters stern and hard who long 

Ago taught thee the power of song. 

93 



15 

Beloved, we may not meet again 
But those warm looks last seen 

Will ever in my heart remain, 
By love kept ever green; 

How hard to think that they have been 

To ne'er be seen by me again! 

i6 

But wheresoever my footsteps roam 

Whatever clime or sea, 
Or in what place may be my home 

Still will I ever be 
Through all the hours that time may lend 
Ever, as now, thy truest friend. 



17 

And when life's fleeting day shall end 

Our souls unveiled shall prove 
When spirit doth with spirit blend 

Immortal is such love 
And purified, — a perfect whole 

Doth reawaken with the soul; 
Until that meeting most divine 

May God be with you, 

Caroline." 



With tearful eyes I read, and read again 
This fond confession of her faithful heart. 

I pressed it to my lips, — my heart, — nor then 
Nor now, — nor ever will it from me part ! 

How oft those words have darkened hours il- 
lum'ned ! 
Thou seest the page with usage torn and curled 

94 



Oh, place it, friend, beside me in the tomb — 
My dear love-note, unhoped-for in this world! 



How often — oh how often have my tears 

Blurred all the letters of these cherished rhymes! 
And this fair tress — through all the dreary years 

I've kissed it, friend — how many hundred times! 
Though words are vain and all too poor to tell 

How dear her love so fully, freely given 
Yet still my longing heart would madly dwell 

On closer bonds. I cried " O would that heaven 



Had nearer to my level made her be." 

But if I could, would I have dragged her down 
From the high station she adorned, with me 

To humbly live? Never! My star, my crown! 
But I was human, and ever were haunting me 

Sweet thoughts of her as friend, companion, — 
wife ; 
Though well I knew that could never be, 

Such heaven-on-earth was not for my poor life. 



8 

But I have lived, and have not lived in vain 

Since in her heart she bears my memory, 
And our twin-souls are linked, as with a chain 

In never-dying, heaven-born sympathy. 
Such immaterial love lives endlessly 

For it is heavenly born and cannot die. 
" The marriage of true minds " 's a unity 

Begun on earth, lives through eternity 

95 



With its supernal Source, whose law divine 

Throughout all nature seeks the perfect whole — 
Bidding each atom with like atom join 

Moving each soul to seek its kindred soul. 
Mysterious agency ! Through all creation — 

Unknown, — unknowable — yet every hour 
Working in secret. Love, gravitation, 

Whate'er the name — moves all things by its 
power. 

lO 

Naught is too small, — from seeds it draws the 
flower ; 
Naught is too great — oceans to'ards orbs of 
light; 
Celestial spheres obey this wondrous power 

Which lives and works beyond all mortal sight, 
Though hand touch hand, and friendship warm 
diffuse 
Its genial glow, — yea heart may heart accept 
Yet each soul from all others still doth choose 
With wisdom mute its fellowship elect. 

II 

I've done. Adieu my faithful friend most dear, 

I know how true to memory thou'lt remain 
But when I pass from earth, drop thou no tear. 

We only part a space to meet again. 
In some fair region, freed from evil's thrall 

A fuller life we'll win — a life more blest 
Joined in ecstatic union with the All-in-all 

In the ineffable forever rest. 



96 



FEB 5 1906 



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